Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, part of the boutique island resort collective Coco Collection, is commemorating ten years of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, reflecting a sustained commitment to marine conservation in the Maldives. The decade-long partnership has developed into a model of integrated conservation, research and guest engagement, reinforcing the resort’s role as a leader in responsible tourism while contributing tangible outcomes for the protection of sea turtles and the wider marine ecosystem.
A defining moment in the partnership came in 2017 with the establishment of the Maldives’ first veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, pioneering specialised sea turtle care in the country. Since opening, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles and achieved a rehabilitation success rate of nearly 60 per cent. The facility provides critical care for turtles affected by human-related threats such as entanglement in marine debris and ghost nets, offering life-saving intervention and long-term recovery in a purpose-built environment.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, the Olive Ridley Project conducts extensive long-term research across the Maldives, collecting vital data on nesting activity, population trends and emerging threats to marine life. This work contributed to the nation’s first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, published in 2022, strengthening the scientific foundation for conservation policy and action. Supported by a wide network of citizen scientists, ORP’s Maldives research team has documented more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters nationwide. Over the past ten years, Coco Collection has played a significant role in this effort, recording nearly 3,500 encounters and establishing itself as one of ORP’s most important research partners.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu integrates conservation into the guest experience, offering weekly marine talks, educational sessions led by the resort’s resident Marine Educator, and opportunities for guests to witness rehabilitated turtles being released back into the ocean. These initiatives create meaningful connections between visitors and the marine environment, fostering awareness and encouraging long-term stewardship beyond the stay.
Commenting on the milestone, Siraj Waseem, General Manager of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, said the ten-year partnership with the Olive Ridley Project represents a source of pride for Coco Collection. He noted that what began as a shared commitment to protecting marine life has evolved into a strong and enduring collaboration centred on education, conservation and authentic guest engagement, adding that the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre continues to grow in strength and impact with ORP’s ongoing support.
Dr Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Olive Ridley Project, described the decade-long collaboration as a pioneering partnership that has delivered meaningful progress in sea turtle conservation in the Maldives. He highlighted the advances achieved in conservation medicine and research, as well as the value of inspiring guests and Maldivian interns to care for and protect the country’s marine environment.
Over the past ten years, the ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has hosted ten veterinary surgeons, each contributing to the development of sea turtle conservation medicine in the Maldives. Through the Sea Turtle Veterinary Trainee Programme, the resort and ORP have trained 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries, helping to build a global network of clinical expertise in sea turtle care across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Alongside its conservation achievements, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to offer a diverse portfolio of experiences, including water sports such as water skiing, surfing and parasailing, as well as sailing, paddle-boarding and kayaking in the surrounding lagoon. Guests can also explore Maldivian culture through curated Coco Experiences that showcase local island life and heritage. As the resort celebrates a decade of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to demonstrate how thoughtful conservation initiatives can exist in harmony with exceptional hospitality, creating lasting value for both guests and the natural environment.
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