Melo Villareal
Boracay, Philippines — Guests from all over the world have been enjoying Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay’s secluded beach, considered the longest in the island. Recently, another discerning guest has come to this tropical beachfront retreat located at Punta Bunga Cove on Boracay’s idyllic northwest tip.
An Olive Ridley Turtle has been recently spotted at the resort nesting with approximately 106 eggs last November 5, 2019.
No less than Resort General Manager Andre Brulhart is leading the resort in keeping watch and making sure the eggs remain safe. In coordination with municipal Marine Biologist Haron Deo Vargas, necessary procedures have been undertaken to ensure the security of the fragile eggs, including the building of a fence to protect the nest.
“We are very delighted and we are filled with excitement as we anticipate the hatching of the eggs. We see this as a sign of environmental sustainability and a sign of hope. Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay is deeply committed to the environment in as much as we are committed to our guests” says Brulhart.
In 2018, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay has been named the world’s most sustainable hotel group for the second year running by certification body Green Globe. In addition, as part of Accor Hotels, it supports a sustainable development program entitled Planet 21.
Vargas, meanwhile, explained that it was the first time he has encountered an Olive Ridley Turtle in the island’s reefs. The most common, he added, are Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles, and sometimes Leatherback Turtle. “We have 4 species of Sea Turtles in our Municipal waters, out of 5 species that can be found in the Philippines,” he summarizes.
Olive Ridley Turtle is the most abundant sea turtle species in the world and is known for its mass nesting. It is also one of the smallest sea turtle species at only 2 to 2.5 feet (0.6 to 0.7 m) long and 80 to 110 pounds (36 to 50 kg). They are named for the olive coloration of their heart-shaped shells.
As to when the community can expect the eggs to hatch, Vargas said that it can be anytime from 45 to 75 days. He also added that the resort can expect more. “That is just one clutch. A nester can have up to seven clutches and it takes a week or more or a female Olive Ridley Turtle to nest.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay security, meantime, is placed on alert for the return of the mother turtle. It is also updating the community and everyone else interested through its social media accounts.
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