On December 15, Con Dao National Park reported that it had recorded a mother turtle laying 98 eggs on the beach and then returning safely to the sea.
Through morphology and biological characteristics, this is a species of pineapple hawksbill turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea) classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It is known that the hawksbill turtle is one of the five rare sea turtle species in the Vietnam Red Book that is seriously threatened and needs to be preserved.
According to previous records, Con Dao is the feeding habitat of 5 species of sea turtles and only the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) regularly comes to the beach to lay eggs.
Therefore, the presence of a hawksbill turtle coming ashore to lay eggs at Dat Doc beach is a positive sign for the recovery of the rare sea turtle population in Con Dao.
Currently, the turtle eggs have been safely moved to the hatching ground. According to statistics, in 2024, 3 mother turtles went to Dat Doc nesting ground and laid 380 eggs, of which 163 baby turtles hatched and were released into the sea (some eggs are still incubating).
The successful implementation of the plan to restore and conserve sea turtle nesting grounds in Dat Doc, Con Dao district by the Con Dao National Park Management Board in coordination with Con Dao Resort Company Limited can be considered the first model of sea turtle conservation and management with the participation of tourism businesses.
If this model is replicated, it can restore sea turtle nesting grounds in tourist areas in other places, contributing to the successful implementation of the Vietnam Sea Turtle Conservation Action Plan.
