Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, part of the boutique-island resort collective Coco Collection, is commemorating ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, celebrating a sustained commitment to marine conservation in the Maldives that has delivered measurable impact for sea turtle protection, research, and education. The long-term collaboration reflects a shared vision to safeguard marine ecosystems while integrating responsible tourism with meaningful conservation outcomes for the region.
A defining milestone of the partnership was achieved in 2017 with the establishment of the Maldives’ first veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, introducing specialised sea turtle care to the country. Since its inception, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, achieving a rehabilitation success rate of nearly 60 percent. The facility plays a critical role in responding to threats caused by human activity, particularly injuries linked to entanglement in marine debris and ghost nets, while advancing standards of veterinary care for marine wildlife in the Maldives.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, the Olive Ridley Project conducts extensive long-term sea turtle research across the Maldives, gathering essential data on nesting patterns, population trends, and emerging threats. This body of work contributed directly to the Maldives’ first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, released in 2022, strengthening national conservation planning and policy development. Working alongside citizen scientists, the research programme has documented more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters nationwide, with Coco Collection alone contributing nearly 3,500 recorded encounters over the past decade, underscoring its role as one of the project’s most significant research partners.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to actively involve guests in conservation through weekly marine talks, educational sessions led by the resident Marine Educator, and opportunities to witness rehabilitated sea turtles returning to the ocean. These experiences are designed to foster awareness and connection, allowing visitors to engage directly with conservation efforts while gaining deeper insight into the Maldives’ unique marine environment.
Reflecting on the milestone, Siraj Waseem, General Manager at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, stated that the ten-year partnership represents a source of pride for the resort and the wider Coco Collection. He highlighted that what began as a shared commitment to marine preservation has evolved into a long-term collaboration grounded in education, conservation, and meaningful guest engagement, with the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre continuing to strengthen its impact with the ongoing support of the Olive Ridley Project.
Dr Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Olive Ridley Project, echoed these sentiments, noting that the decade-long collaboration exemplifies a pioneering partnership that has driven significant progress in sea turtle conservation medicine and research in the Maldives. He emphasized that the partnership has not only advanced scientific understanding and clinical care but has also inspired thousands of guests and Maldivian interns to actively care for and protect the country’s marine environment.
Over the years, the 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 the Olive Ridley Project have trained 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries, helping to build a strong international network of high-quality sea turtle clinical care across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Complementing its conservation leadership, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu offers a broad range of experiences for guests seeking both tranquillity and adventure. The resort provides access to water sports such as water skiing, surfing, and parasailing, alongside sailing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking in the surrounding turquoise waters. Guests can also explore Maldivian heritage through curated cultural experiences that offer insight into local island life. As it marks ten years of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to demonstrate that responsible conservation practices and exceptional guest experiences can thrive together, reinforcing the Maldives’ position as a global destination where sustainability and hospitality are closely aligned.
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