In the tropical paradise of Phuket, amidst the sun-kissed shores and azure waters, a silent and noble guardian works tirelessly to ensure the survival of one of nature’s most enchanting creatures – the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation. Established as a beacon of hope for sea turtles, this foundation epitomizes the commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship. Let’s delve into the heart of this remarkable organization and explore the vital role it plays in safeguarding the marine ecosystem. The Birth of a Guardian: Foundation’s Genesis The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation was born out of a collective realization of the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats. Established in collaboration with local communities, park authorities, and environmentalists, the foundation came into existence as a proactive response to the challenges faced by sea turtles, particularly in the Mai Khao area of Phuket. At its core, the foundation is driven by a deep understanding of the fragile balance between tourism and the preservation of natural ecosystems. It aims not only to conserve sea turtles but also to raise awareness and actively involve visitors in the crucial mission of environmental protection. The Conservation Mandate: Protecting Nests and Ensuring Survival A cornerstone of the foundation’s mission is the protection of sea turtle nesting sites along the beaches of Phuket. The Mai Khao area serves as a vital nesting ground for several species of sea turtles, including the endangered green turtles. The foundation, in collaboration with local authorities and dedicated volunteers, monitors and protects these nesting sites with unwavering commitment. During the nesting season, which typically spans from November to February, the foundation’s efforts intensify. Protective barriers and vigilant patrols are established to safeguard the vulnerable nests from potential threats, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for the eggs to hatch. Visitors may have the rare privilege of witnessing the magical moment when baby turtles emerge and make their journey to the sea. The Educational Arm: Fostering Awareness and Understanding The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation recognizes that true conservation goes hand in hand with education. To this end, the foundation actively engages in educational programs designed to foster awareness and understanding of sea turtles and their ecosystems. Visitors to the foundation’s facilities can participate in informative sessions, workshops, and interactive exhibits that unravel the mysteries of sea turtle biology, behavior, and the challenges they face. Through these educational initiatives, the foundation seeks to instill a sense of responsibility and environmental consciousness in visitors. By understanding the intricate web of life that sea turtles are a part of, individuals are more likely to become advocates for conservation, extending the foundation’s impact beyond the shores of Phuket. Community Involvement: A Collaborative Approach The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation understands the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts. Collaborating closely with local communities, the foundation not only empowers residents with knowledge but also involves them actively in the protection and preservation of sea turtles. Local volunteers play a pivotal role in monitoring nesting sites, assisting with educational programs, and contributing to research initiatives. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility, the foundation ensures that conservation efforts are not isolated but become integral to the local community’s ethos. This collaborative approach enhances the sustainability of conservation practices and strengthens the foundation’s impact on the broader marine ecosystem. Research Initiatives: Contributing to Scientific Knowledge In addition to on-the-ground conservation activities, the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation contributes to scientific research aimed at enhancing our understanding of sea turtles and their habitats. Collaborating with marine biologists and researchers, the foundation collects valuable data on nesting patterns, migration routes, and the impact of environmental factors on sea turtle populations. This commitment to research not only enriches our scientific knowledge but also informs and improves conservation strategies. By staying at the forefront of marine biology research, the foundation ensures that its efforts remain adaptive and effective in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Visitor Participation: A Unique Opportunity for Impact One of the unique aspects of the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation is its invitation for visitors to actively participate in conservation efforts. Beyond being passive observers, travelers can contribute directly to the foundation’s mission by engaging in volunteer programs, supporting research initiatives, and even adopting a symbolic sea turtle nest. This hands-on involvement transforms visitors into ambassadors for conservation, carrying the message of environmental responsibility far beyond their time in Phuket. It creates a powerful ripple effect, where individuals become catalysts for change in their communities, workplaces, and beyond. Conclusion: A Guardian’s Legacy The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation stands as a testament to the power of collective action in the face of environmental challenges. By combining conservation efforts with education, community involvement, and scientific research, the foundation has emerged as a beacon of hope for sea turtles in Phuket. As visitors from around the world immerse themselves in the beauty of Phuket‘s beaches, the foundation silently continues its work, ensuring that the delicate balance between tourism and conservation is maintained. In preserving sea turtles, the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation not only safeguards a species but also leaves behind a legacy of environmental awareness and stewardship for generations to come. Check them on https://www.maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org/ 

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InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the five-star resort on Vietnam‘s Son Tra Peninsula, has reaffirmed its commitment to conservation by installing three brand-new “monkey bridges” – man-made bamboo and rope structures that help the resident population of red-shanked douc langurs travel safely around the resort and access their favourite feeding grounds. Famed for their striking scarlet legs and white beards, red-shanked douc langurs are one of the rarest primates on Earth – classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Only around 2,000 remain in the wild in Vietnam, 1,500 of which are thought to live in the jungles of the Son Tra Peninsula, where they love to eat the young leaves of tropical almond trees. As the guardian of this pristine wilderness, InterContinental Danang is dedicated to the protection of its charming treetop friends. Five families of red-shanked douc langurs are known to reside within the grounds of this 39-hectare resort, each with between five and 20 members. To help these communities thrive, InterContinental Danang – led by its Environmental Manager, Anthony Barker – is creating a network of bridges and ladders that let these arboreal animals move freely through the forest canopy, their preferred habitat. Three new monkey bridges join the two already in place, providing these colourful creatures with safe,stress-free passages through the forest.  August and September are usually the months when baby red-shanked douc langurs are born, so the new bridges have been completed at a crucial time. More bridges are being planned in future. “At InterContinental Danang, we understand that we have a responsibility to preserve the precious ecosystems of the Son Tra Peninsula. One of the best ways to help protect the red-shanked douc langurs is to keep their migration routes open. Our monkey bridges act like aerial highways, letting them live, feed and breed in complete peace and safety. The bridges are not only used by red-shanked douc langurs, however; other native species such as macaques, squirrels and even civets have been seen using them, which shows how beneficial they are to our wildlife,” commented Seif Hamdy, General Manager, InterContinental Danang. CSR is now at the top of the agenda for many businesses, and corporate groups can take part in important conservation projects such as monkey bridge construction – a wonderful way of creating closer bonds between team members and having a positive impact on the planet. Spanning 39 hectares of pristine forest across four levels – Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea – InterContinental Danang is a haven of tranquility and was recently named as the best hotel in Vietnam for the second consecutive year in the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information and reservations, please call +84 236 393 8888, email reservations.icdanang@ihg.com or visit www.danang.intercontinental.com.

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InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the award-winning five-star resort nestled in 39 hectares of nature on the Son Tra Peninsula, is delighted to announce that its Resident Zoologist, Anthony Barker, has won the WTN Tourism Hero Award in recognition of his outstanding conservation efforts. A government protected area that covers 3,000 square kilometers on Vietnam’s central coast, the Son Tra Peninsula is home to abundant flora and fauna, including species classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Most notably, it is the home of the red-shanked douc langur, one of the world’s rarest species of primate. Since joining the resort in early 2019, Anthony has revolutionized its approach to environmental protection. He has collaborated with local authorities and NGOs on key projects and helped to educate communities and staff members about the importance of conservation. Anthony also integrates his work into the guest experience by hosting of complimentary wildlife workshops and guided tours to raise awareness.   But it is Anthony’s work with the red-shanked douc langurs that makes him a true hero. He oversees eight protected zones within the resort which are home to tropical almond trees – the leaves of which are the species’ favorite food – and has created a network of natural bridges and rope ladders to allow the animals to move freely around the resort and access feeding grounds. Poaching and trafficking are still the one of the biggest threats to wildlife in Vietnam, so Anthony has created a stricter security zone within the national park. The arrival and departure of all personnel is fully documented and he personally conducts regular perimeter walks to ensure that no paths have been made or traps laid by poachers. As a result of these measures, the community of red-shanked douc langurs within the resort is well-protected. The resort is now planning to launch its new Discovery Center, a dedicated onsite conservation hub that will allow guests, staff and community groups – including local schoolchildren – to learn more about the area’s wildlife and the resort’s latest environmental projects. This facility is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2022. “I am deeply honored to receive the WTN Tourism Heroes Award. At InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, we have a responsibility to take care of our pristine nature reserve and its inhabitants, including the critically-endangered red-shanked douc langurs. So, I am delighted to lead projects to preserve the environment and engage with the community. All businesses should learn to mold themselves around their natural location, rather than trying to force nature to mold around them. Only when we achieve complete sustainability can we reach our full potential,” commented Barker. Anthony’s work underpins InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort’s deep commitment to conservation and sustainability. As part of IHG’s Green Engage program, the property monitors its daily usage of energy, carbon, water and waste and takes steps to actively reduce its consumption.

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From high heels to outdoor shoes: WWF Venturing into the Heart of Borneo where development and conservation meet. WWF-Malaysia Communications Officer Amanda Nayra took part in a memorable five-day cross-visit to West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with stakeholders from Sarawak Government agencies and community leaders. During this trip, they saw how nature conservation co-exists with sustainable economic activities. 26 April 2017, KUCHING: Never in my life would I have thought that I would be packing high heels and outdoor shoes at the same time. I had a wedding to attend to in Sabah and a working trip in West Kalimantan – held back-to-back in the same week. From being dolled up on a Saturday night, I caught the first flight out of Kota Kinabalu to Kuching early the next morning, and hopped onto an express bus to explore West Kalimantan. West Kalimantan forms part of Heart of Borneo (HoB), an area earmarked for sustainable development. WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia are embarking on a new pilot transboundary corridor project that aims to drive HoB’s future towards a green economy that will benefit human and nature for posterity. The new pilot project, which began in 2016, is a two-million hectare area, spanning northern West Kalimantan to central Sarawak, and runs for four years. I was on the cross-visit organised by WWF-Malaysia and WWF-Indonesia to West Kalimantan from February 27 to March 3, 2017. The visit aimed at giving stakeholders in Sarawak, such as Forest Department Sarawak, State Planning Unit and community leaders, a first-hand experience of how people in Meliau and Empangau integrate nature conservation with economic development. Our first destination in West Kalimantan was Lanjak, a small town situated an hour away from Lubok Antu Immigration Post in Sarawak. After dinner and settling in a homestay in Lanjak, my colleagues gave briefings to stakeholders on objectives of the new pilot transboundary corridor project and cross-visit. On the second day, from Lanjak, we headed towards Meliau, a conservation area that WWF-Indonesia is working in. In a five-seater boat with the capacity of 40 horsepower, we cramped ourselves with our bags to venture through Sentarum Lake. Two hours in the boat may sound long, but the spectacular view of the lake made the trip feel short. We passed several villages on our way to Meliau and what captured my attention were egrets sitting on the village jetty waiting for an easy catch. Too bad it was drizzling; I could not take a decent photo from the boat. In Meliau, we received a warm welcome from the longhouse communities. WWF-Indonesia Environmental Services Coordinator Hermas Maring briefed us on the conservation works by local communities in the area, and how the organization helped in shaping the people’s mindset to be proactive in conservation. A tour around Meliau longhouse showed how the community has evolved throughout the years. For example, they no longer bathe in the river and now have communal areas in every room in the longhouse. Clean water comes directly from Peninjau Hill, which is located behind their village, filling up their pipeline. There are also a small library and communication towers located in the village. In the evening, we hopped onto a long boat and toured the many lakes surrounding Meliau. As we cruised into a lake, the brownish water slowly turned black. We turned into narrow streams to venture into Lake Merebung, protected by the villagers through customary laws. Generally, fishing is permitted in the lakes throughout the year, though the activity and equipment are strictly regulated. Fishermen can only use harsh mesh with the size of above four inches, thus allowing small fishes to pass through their nets. Fishermen are also prohibited from using crickets, cockroaches and frogs as baits as these will increase the chances of arowanas being caught. The Asian arowana is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and is a protected species in Indonesia. Those who break the rules will risk getting a fishing ban for up to three years. We spotted some old orangutan nests built high up on trees along the streams. The locals claimed that orangutan sightings are common in the area, but whenever tourists happen to be around, orangutans somehow disappear. Orangutans are known to be shy creatures and usually will avoid any contact, even with other animals. For me, the best part of this tour was witnessing a flock of hornbills flying freely in the sky. Previously my only encounter with hornbills was in a zoo.  I was so excited that in five seconds all I did was point ecstatically at the birds. I only remembered to take photos at the last minute when they were already flying away from us. At night, the villagers served us fish freshly caught from their backyard. There were so many choices of fish that I couldn’t help tasting them all. After dinner, Sodik Asmoro, the leader for a local ecotourism committee group called Kaban Mayas (loosely translated from Iban as Friends of Orangutan), gave a short presentation on how the development of ecotourism has changed things for the better in the area over the past few years. Communities are now more open to conservation after realising that they can capitalise on flora and fauna found in their surroundings. Through ecotourism, they are able to benefit from homestay, boat and canoe rental services. With the help from WWF-Indonesia, the villagers set up Kaban Mayas as the guardian to ensure sustainability of the ecosystem and orangutan habitat in the area. Besides arowana, Meliau is home to a number of other fish species such as toman, piang, kerandang and piyam. The area is also blessed with 28 species of mammals including orangutan, avifauna (201), amphibians (22), reptiles (18) and plants (353). We left Meliau for Empangau on the third day. It was a three-hour journey in the same five-seater boat we used earlier. We were informed by Empangau villagers that they would do a fish restocking activity to tie...

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