The situation of the marine turtles led the International Union of Preservation of the Nature ( UICN) to consider ALL the species of turtles as threatened, in danger of extinction.
So since 1981, all the species are registered on the appendix I of the Washington agreement which forbids the business of the threatened species (CTES: agreement one International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Faun)

In this area Le Méridien testifies its willingness to participate in the environmental protection in order to protect such a rare species.

The team

Daily, a team takes charge of the turtle’s needs, such as their health and feedings. It is with great care that they are fed, looked after and eventually released as soon as their health allows.
Beginning in July 2004, a marine biologist specialized in animal behavior will oversee the centre.
" Excursions discovery " will be organized to show the children the interior lagoon of Le Méridien with its hundreds of fishes and the many turtles who live there. Equipped with masks and snorkels, the children will learn of the ecological stakes involved in their protection. The children can also observe turtles swimming freely in the lagoon.

The care

Le Méridien Bora Bora participates actively in the protection of these endangered species. An adapted program assures that all of the collected turtles have survival capacities before being released into the ocean.
In coordination with the Ministry and the Delegation of the Environment, a team dedicates itself to the care and to the recovery of the marine turtles. This center integrated into the hotel is the only one of its kind in the world.
Le Méridien Bora Bora also makes regular "trips" to return the recovered turtles to the ocean.
Several types of wounds are found on the turtles taken in by Le Méridien Bora Bora: Severe weight loss due to prolonged stays in pearl farms or confiscations in customs is also possible.
Because of many customs seizures, there are many new turtles welcomed to the lagoon. The turtles are collected and then treated in order for them to become healthy again. Sometimes, the turtles that arrive are wounded by arrows from underwater fishing... or can be victim to various health issues such as problems with scales...

The care is carried out by the hotel staff or a veterinary surgeon according to the gravity of the wound. The team of Le Méridien is of course assisted in this major undertaking by the Management of the Environment and the veterinary surgeons. The first people on the scene is the team at the hotel, but according to the situation the staff may seek further information from the local veterinary surgeons or large international specialists, such as George Balazs (Hawaii) who regularly advises Le Méridien’s team.

The situation of the marine turtles led the International Union of Preservation of the Nature ( UICN) to consider ALL the species of turtles as threatened, in danger of extinction.
So since 1981, all the species are registered on the appendix I of the Washington agreement which forbids the business of the threatened species (CTES: agreement one International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Faun)

In this area Le Méridien testifies its willingness to participate in the environmental protection in order to protect such a rare species.

Food

10:00 am in the turtles’ nursery is a must see while staying in Le Méridien Bora Bora.

The turtles are fed every morning. For those who remain in the lagoon, they enjoy one meal per day with a menu of pellets and fish. For those who require special care, food adapted to their health is given along with food and vitamins.

The baby turtles enjoy two meals per day to help support their growth; in the morning they receive the same meal as adult turtles, but in the evening they dine on jellyfish. Of course, the turtles live in within a semi-natural habitat rich in other sea life with its own ecosystem. Therefore it is always possible for them to nourish themselves throughout the day.
In the lagoon, one can observe the turtles’ attraction to the coral and the sponges, which they vigorously scrape against and the algae that they eat regularly.

Nursery

Each year many baby turtles are entrusted to this center where they are given the opportunity to thrive as well as to escape predators.

The customers will have the privilege of meeting the turtles in their natural environment, where they will be able to help feed and care for the animals...all the while maintaining respect of the environment and of the ecosystem.
2003 was, without any doubt, the year of many births in Le Méridien Bora Bora. Indeed, nearly 114 babies came to join the interior lagoon during November.
Another mission of the hotel is to support the turtles while giving birth and to take care of the nests. Sometimes it is necessary to move the nests if they are poorly placed in order to protect them from predators and the ocean.

On April 1, 2004, many nests were relocated in order to increase the chance that the baby turtles are born safely.
Of the births in November 2004, 40 turtles had already been released into their natural environment before the end May.

Le Méridien Bora Bora offers a unique opportunity for you to meet these turtles during your stay. You can observe their behavior and their care, but most remarkably is that you can swim freely with the turtles in their natural environment. In order to preserve the integrity of the environment, there are some rules that will discussed upon your visit.