OP
OP
Was looking through some pics since a few have asked to post more...lol. I don't think I posted any pics of the Turtle Sanctuary we visited while in Bora Bora. It was really cool. We had a friend that worked at the resort next to ours. The resort is called Le Meridien and one of the cool things about staying there is the Turtle Sanctuary. For the past century, turtles have always been on the (food) menu for local villages in French Polynesia. In an HUGE effort to try and change that (due to the dwindling turtle populations in our oceans), Le Meridien has started this Awareness effort to educate local kids (kids all around the islands) about the importance of turtles. The sanctuary is a hatchery, a place to raise baby turtles in captivity, a release program, and a reunion spot all wrapped into one (for both Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles). Since turtles will always return to where they were born to lay eggs, lots of turtles come to this resort in order to lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, the conservationists raise the babies until they reach a mature enough age to be released into the wild. The turtles are fed every 2 days. While watching the babies eat was really cool, it was amazing to see just how many turtles (who were raised there) would swim in from the lagoon to catch a free meal. As you can see from the pics, there were turtles smaller than your hand and others who were as big around as a Smart Car.
You are required to stay at this resort in order to see the turtles. It is really meant for the local kids to see so they keep all tourists out (unless you stay there or know someone who can get you in). Was a really cool thing to see. Here are some pics...
Turtles are kept in different enclosures depending on size (otherwise they will eat each other).
The babies are gathered into these baskets for observation and feeding. The volunteers who handle the turtles will not put the turtles back until each one has been visually observed from head to toe - and observed eating the amount that they should for their age.
The really small ones are fed in these...lol
Closer shot
How small are they? Easier to see here...we got to hold them which was awesome.
And some pics of adults who were born in the hatchery. They are free to come and go as they please. They can roam the oceans or stick close by on the reefs. No cages at all. Like clockwork, they swim in on feeding days. If you stay at the resort, you get to take full advantage of swimming with these beautiful creatures as they come and go.
You are required to stay at this resort in order to see the turtles. It is really meant for the local kids to see so they keep all tourists out (unless you stay there or know someone who can get you in). Was a really cool thing to see. Here are some pics...
Turtles are kept in different enclosures depending on size (otherwise they will eat each other).
The babies are gathered into these baskets for observation and feeding. The volunteers who handle the turtles will not put the turtles back until each one has been visually observed from head to toe - and observed eating the amount that they should for their age.
The really small ones are fed in these...lol
Closer shot
How small are they? Easier to see here...we got to hold them which was awesome.
And some pics of adults who were born in the hatchery. They are free to come and go as they please. They can roam the oceans or stick close by on the reefs. No cages at all. Like clockwork, they swim in on feeding days. If you stay at the resort, you get to take full advantage of swimming with these beautiful creatures as they come and go.
