Sea turtle nesting season beginning in Con Dao district

The largest sea turtle nesting ground in Vietnam

A pregnant sea turtle recently traveled over several thousands of kilometers from Malaysia to Con Dao district, where she received high-quality and professional birthing services. The mother turtle promptly went into labor, and laid 108 eggs. After leaving her offspring to the care of forest protection officers at Con Dao National Park, the mother turtle swiftly returned to the sea, and headed back for Malaysia.

These eggs will be incubated and strictly monitored by the Bay Canh Island Forest Protection Station. According to schedule, the "Malaysian" baby turtles will be released into the ocean in June. It is not uncommon for Con Dao to "welcome" international turtles for nesting. In the past, a large number of pregnant turtles from Southeast Asia have travelled to Con Dao to lay eggs; subsequently, hundreds of baby turtles have been born and returned to the ocean.

Con Dao currently houses 16 sea turtle nesting grounds, including: Bay Canh Island, Ben Dam, Tai Lon Island, Tre Lon Island, Cau Island, and Duong Beach. Among these locations, Bay Canh Island is favored by the majority of migrating sea turtles, with 70% choosing the island as their nesting ground. The nesting season for sea turtle typically spans from April to November annually, with the peak nesting period occuring between May and September.

According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of the Con Dao National Park Management Board, the park rescued and relocated 2,262 sea turtle egg clutches to hatcheries in 2023, for a total of 217,257 eggs. Additionally, 166,177 hatchlings were successfully released into the ocean under controlled conditions, achieving a release rate of over 81%. Notably, stainless steel tags with the inscription "CON DAO VIET NAM; Tel: +842543830698" are attached to every mother turtle for identification purposes.

"We have tagged 441 sea turtles, and maintained surveillance over tagged mother turtles. It is estimated that nearly 765 mother turtles travelled to the waters of Con Dao to lay eggs in 2023," Mr. Pho reported.

According to their natural behavior, sea turtles swimming ashore to lay eggs will seek convenient and safe locations, before digging a hole measuring 60 centimeters deep to deposit their eggs. Each nesting event typically results in the deposition of between 80 and 120 eggs. Before returning to the sea, mother turtles will camouflage their nests with sand. Thereafter, the responsibility for safeguarding the eggs is assumed by the forest protection officers.

Sea turtles typically swim ashore to lay eggs at night. As a result, on-duty forest protection officers must conduct patrols, monitor, and assist mother turtles throughout the entire night. Subsequently, all eggs will be relocated to artificial hatcheries for protection against the tides and other animals.

According to Mr. Tran Dinh Dong, a forest protection officer stationed at Bay Canh Island, despite the demanding nature of conservation work, his colleagues find fulfillment in assisting the mother turtles. Having performed this task for many years, Mr. Dong asserted that the simple act of gently transferring each egg into the basket for transportation to the artificial hatchery brings him immense joy.

On-duty forest protection officers are responsible for recording information and relocating the eggs within the specified time frame. Accordingly, the eggs will be relocated within three hours for nesting grounds near the hatchery, and within six hours for remote nesting grounds.

"If we are unable to relocate the eggs to the hatchery in time, we will mark the nesting ground, remove traces left by the mother turtle, strengthen protection, and relocate the eggs after forty days. Sea turtles are very sensitive to sound and white light, so these tasks must be performed in darkness. Specialized lighting is used when the turtles are nesting," Mr. Dinh Dong shared.

For the forest protection officers at the Con Dao National Park Management Board, the rescuing, incubating, and releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean is both a passion and a responsibility.

According to the Con Dao National Park Management Board, between 150,000 and 170,000 baby sea turtles hatch in the park's hatcheries every year before being safely released into the ocean. However, only 1 in 1,000 of these hatchlings are able to reach adulthood. This low survival rate underscores the significance of sea turtle conservation efforts.

Significant potential for tourism and conservation education

Con Dao attracts domestic and international tourists with its spiritual tourism offerings as well as its unique and appealing ecotourism opportunities.

Notably, the releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean is a special activity unique to Con Dao. This activity appeals to nature enthusiasts who wish to experience the moment when these hatchlings take their first steps into the ocean, immersing themselves in the deep waves to begin their journey into the vast ocean.

The baby sea turtle experiential tour is typically organized by the Con Dao National Park Management Board at Bay Canh Island during sunrise. To participate in this tour, tourists can travel by canoe from Con Son Island and arrive at Bay Canh Island after a twenty-minute trip minutes.

After visiting the turtle egg hatchery, each group of tourists is provided with a basket of baby sea turtles. They are then guided to a large sandy beach, where officers at the Bay Canh forest protection station instruct them on the safe release of baby sea turtles into the ocean. As the baskets are opened, the instinctive baby sea turtles will immediately head towards the ocean to begin their life journey in the vast expanse of the sea.

The People's Court of Con Dao District recently prosecuted four individuals on charges of trafficking and purchasing sea turtle eggs, resulting in a total sentence of two years of imprisonment and a fine of 1.05 billion Vietnamese dong.

Prior to this trial, suspects were found to be carrying five sea turtle eggs in their luggage, intended to be taken on board a plane on the morning of June 12, 2023. Four out of the five eggs belonged to the Green Sea Turtle species (Chelonia mydas). This species is protected at the highest level according to the regulations of Vietnam and international law.

Mr. Lai Giang Phu, a tourist from Hanoi city, visited Con Dao for a vacation with his family. Naturally, Mr. Phu did not miss the opportunity to release the baby sea turtles into the ocean. This experience was also an opportunity for Mr. Phu and his spouse to introduce their children to the releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean, thereby nurturing their love for nature.

"This was truly a wonderful experience. I got to see the effort that everyone puts in to help the sea turtles that swam ashore to lay eggs. Witnessing the turtles laying eggs and participating in the releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean was a memorable experience. It's experiences like these that really help raise awareness about protecting animals and the environment," Mr. Phu shared.

According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, this activity holds immense significance in the conservation of endangered and rare species listed in the World Red Book. It not only provides tourists with an enriching experience, but also fosters their love for nature and their conservation responsibility.

With a basket of eager baby sea turtles in hand, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Anh from District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, was deeply moved: "The feeling of nurturing these fragile baby sea turtles, witnessing their eager steps towards the ocean, full of strength and confidence, is truly an unforgettable experience in life."

Discovery and experiential tours that involve the releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean are both tourism and conservation activities. They provide an enjoyable experience while also contributing to raising awareness and responsibility regarding the conservation of sea turtle, and Con Dao marine biodiversity as a whole.

In 2023, a notable influx of 8,270 tourists engaged in eco-tourism services at Con Dao National Park. These services encompassed a wide array of activities, ranging from immersive forest and beach excursions to island exploration; snorkeling with a view of vibrant coral reefs; observing the nesting rituals of sea turtles; participating in the releasing of baby sea turtles into the ocean; and transportation and accomodation rental services.