Continuing its partnership with the Olive Ridley Project that began in January 2015, Coco Collection unveils this year the first Turtle Rescue Center at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in order to protect the fragile natural environment in Maldives. Since 2013, Coco Collection has been working closely with the project to rescue sea turtles from the nets drifting in the Indian Ocean – holding events to educate guests and associates about their detrimental effects.

“The moment is finally here! Coco Collection has been on board with us from day one, and we are delighted to open the first Olive Ridley Project Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm. We are very grateful to the family for their vision as a responsible brand and for their dedication to conservation initiatives. From the beginning, guests and partners of Coco Collection have been supporting the project with generous donations during their stay. This eventually led to the construction of the centre, and our heartfelt gratitude goes out to them for their unwavering generosity. As much as we are involved in the removal of ghost gear from the ocean, turtles and marine life in general are still in danger of being entangled in nets and ingesting marine debris. Thankfully, we now have a dedicated place for them to be treated and recover from their injuries,” comments Martin Stelfox, Founder and CEO of the Olive Ridley Project.

While Mohamed Didi – Coco Collection’s Chief Engineer – created a completely automated system regulating water flow at the center, Dr. Claire Petros – the Veterinary Surgeon heading the operations of the center – is working with school children at the neighboring islands and holding field visits to teach them about sea turtles’ lives.

Since this news has made us thankful for this initiative that aims to protect nature’s splendid creations, the following will make us feel happier as this collaboration will unveil similar initiatives in Coco Bodu Hithi at a later stage.