Mango Bay Phu Quoc (www.mangobayphuquoc.com), an eco-resort offering a unique and truthful experience in harmony with nature, in a relaxing atmosphere, has lived true to its eco commitment by its first activity for the year 2012 of releasing seven marine turtles to the sea, where they belong.
Vietnam has five out of seven species of marine turtles, or sea turtles as they are commonly called, all of which are listed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, despite the government's ban from using them for commercial purposes, in Vietnam they are still sought after for their meat, eggs, skin and shell.
The seven marine turtles released to the sea this January 2011 was done through Mango Bay Resort and Wildlife At Risk (WAR, www.wildlifeatrisk.com), a non-profit organization based in Ho Chi Minh City. All seven of them are giant sea turtles with a combined weight of 135kg, originally confiscated from illegal transporters by the Market Control Department, who transferred it to the Department of Marine Life Quality Control and Protection before they finally reached Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Centre, part of WAR. At Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Centre, they were diligently taken care of and given the best environment to thrive in before being released to their natural habitat by WAR and Mango Bay.
This is not the first time Mango Bay has participated in such nature conservation activities. Back in August 2011, the resort has pledged its commitment to take blue-fin tuna off its menu. Other long-term sustainability activities that Mango Bay has carried out for the past ten years or so include supporting local community, using wood timber, leaf thatch and locally made furniture for the bungalows, planting and nurturing over 7,000 trees in Phu Quoc’s forest, and maintaining a butterfly farm and orchid garden.
“Releasing these endangered sea turtles is one of the nature conservation activities we are proud to take an active part in as a partner of Wildlife At Risk,” said Le Bihan Ronan, General Manager of Mango Bay Phu Quoc.
“Development at Mango Bay has been led by a passion for the environment, intelligent use of materials, and strong support for the island culture. We strongly believe that indulging yourselves in luxury could also be done in the greenest ways.
That is why we use top quality furnishing from natural materials for the rooms and the freshest organic ingredients for our restaurants, ensuring a guilt-free experience where everyone can feel relaxed and happy that there is no compromise on the planet's future."