Central to Banwa Private Island’s ethos is to support, nurture and protect the island’s delicate ecosystem and the rich array of flora and fauna it provides habitat for.
One of the programs through its environmental arm, Aquos Foundation, is to protect the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles.
Banwa Private Island has long been a favored nesting site for the Hawksbill turtles, and conservation projects are continuously implemented to protect preferential areas for the turtles to lay their eggs. Since 2016, over 6,300 Hawksbill turtle eggs have been laid in 69 nests in our shores, of which 61 percent hatchlings emerged.
Research initiatives involve nest identification and evaluation, monitoring, DNA sampling and tagging. These have shown promising results as these environment guardians, guided by notable marine biologists, researchers and scientists, regularly record repeat returns of identifiable sea turtles.
A reef rehabilitation program was also initiated fundamental to the future well-being of the marine turtle population. To date, it has resulted in the deployment of over 180 reef ball structures to provide habitat for corals to colonize and in turn give shelter to sea turtles. An encouraging coral growth with up to 10 centimeters per annum was recorded in branching corals, and a significant uplift in the variety and density of fish species were observed in the research areas.
Banwa Private Island invites guests to participate in its Hawksbill turtle conservation efforts throughout the turtle nesting season (March to October).
Tel. 0917-8882864; reservations@banwaprivateisland.com; or banwaprivateisland.com