Charlestown-Nevis-Quite a number of locals and guests at the prestigious Four Seasons Resort, gathered at the renowned hotel on Sunday 15th July, for the grand release of yet another turtle as part of the Turtle conservancy program, which is jointly coordinated by Sea Turtle Conservancy; the Nevis Turtle Group and the Four Seasons Resort.
Rooms Director Gary, chaired the brief ceremony and noted that the resort was happy to be a part of such a meaningful program.
Also addressing the gathering was Mr. David Godfrey of the Sea Turtle Conservancy Group, who congratulated new partners NAKED TURTLE RUM, for being on board with their sponsorship endeavours, this year.
He stated that his group not only studies the animals but help in raising awareness and support for the conservancy program.
He noted that once the turtle was released, persons would be able to track its whereabouts on line, at tourtheturtle.org.
Mr. Lemuel Pemberton of the Nevis Turtle group, used the opportunity to introduce some of the long serving members of his group, which has been in existence for 17 years. He encouraged property owners and owners of boats, to lessen the lights on the beaches at nights, as this usually affects the turtles negatively.
Also addressing the gathering was Mr. Huey Sargeant, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, who congratulated all of the stakeholders for their wonderful conservancy efforts and pledged his Ministry’s fullest support to the program.
One of the volunteers, who stayed up practically all night in the effort to secure the turtle, Mr. IGIE Ottley, rendered a well received, original poem about the turtle, which he had written just a few hours before.
Supervisor of the Kids Department at the resort, Ms. Khamiya Nisbett, then had the opportunity to release the name of the turtle, which she stated is COLADA aka COKO.
The sea creature was then officially released from its boxed cage and sped in a straight line towards the water, to the warm applause of all present and soon disappeared from view.
Another similar ceremony was held the following day, as another turtle which was caught on Sunday night, was released on Monday 16th July.