On October 5th, we had the pleasure of releasing Gabrielle Haoroagai, a green turtle found on the island of Hao which arrived at the Care center in July 2018, unable to dive and feed itself.

Now in great health, Gabrielle Haoroagai has joined the ocean for new adventures.

Many thanks to Captain Taina Glassbottomboat Moorea for making this release possible and for allowing Gabrielle to go back to her natural habitat! 

Muto’i (“police officer” in Tahitian) is a green turtle that was seized last August by the gendarmes of Moorea in an individual where she waited returned on the back before being cooked. She was at the side of another turtle, of which only the plastron (underside of the carapace) remained. Muto’i therefore avoided death and presented only superficial wounds upon its arrival which quickly healed. It was released in Moorea with of one of the gendarmes who rescued her and we hope she can continue to evolve in our Polynesian waters.

In June, Milla, a young green turtle was also rescued by a family aboard a sailboat while floating in the middle of a cluster of seaweed at marina in Tahiti. The impact on his carapace left no doubt as to the origin of his injury: a spear gun arrow that could have been fatal.

The two turtles moved in different directions when they were launched: Milla to the sea and Muto’i to the land…

The release took place on the 24th of September, which was also the celebration of the organisation’s 12th birthday. For the occasion, we invited all volunteers, the Minister for research, and some guests for the release. These moments are what we are all looking forward to when we receive a sick or injured turtle, as it indicates the complete recovery of the turtle and therefore her return into the ocean…

]]> https://www.temanaotemoana.org/en/celebration-of-the-sea-turtle-day/ Sat, 23 Apr 2016 20:13:08 +0000 http://www.temanaotemoana.org/?p=11146 Held in French Polynesia for the third one year, the Day dedicated to the sea turtles in French Polynesia is the occasion to celebrate the sea turtles and the need to protect the species endangered in our waters. This day was initiated by the Meridien from Bora Bora and the Direction for the Environment and is relayed since that time. As every year, our foundation is celebrating this event during the Polynesian day with local schools. For this year, we participated to the Polynesian day with the College of Paopao Moorea (12-15 years old) that have set up various workshops on the Polynesian culture and protection (this entity is an Eco-friendly College). At least, more than 20 workshops has been organized such as painting, tattoo art activities; our educators used games to present the emblematic species of French Polynesia and we were proud to notice that 4 classrooms used our boardgames created on environment, sea turtles conservation and protected marine areas during the workshops. A classroom of 14 years old teenagers has also realized a special movie dedicated to the sea turtles protection. We were really honored by their hard work and attention. 

To finalize the day, this college student class was invited to participate to the release of Rob, a juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in care at the Moorea Sea Turtle Clinic. This is the last one turtle of 53 hatchlings who were born in November 2014 on an islet of Moorea (this last one event has occurred in Moorea 10 years ago). The incubation and hatching have been disturbed by stray dogs and ants, so Te mana o te moana NGO, which manages the Turtles Clinic, intervened and carried a nest transfer. Turtle babies were taken care as soon as they hatched and  were released in the wild as soon as their health permits: 37 individuals in November 2014, 9 in March 2015 and 1 in February 2016. Rob was named in honor of one of the founders of Pacsafe. Pacsafe, which is a famous brand of backpacks and travel accessories, supports this year the sea turtle conservation actions led by our foundation thanks to a dedicated fund. Rob is the 193rd turtle released by the Moorea Turtle Clinic.

The first turtle was found in a nest observed in Moorea in 2014. This was a really special event, the proof of the first green turtle nesting on the island of Moorea since 10 years …

This turtle was named Vilebrequin to thank warmly the famous brand swimwear and beachwear Vilebrequin, that support the Clinic of sea turtles for the newt two years. Vilebrequin was released by Marie Guillet (left side), one of our volunteer.

The second turtle was found in a really short period of time after the hatching, lost in the vegetation by a couple of tourists visiting by boat the atoll of Tetiaroa. Two years later, she was released by Benoit Layrle, manager of the Fenua Ma entity with who we are developing a lot of actions for over 10 years.

We also would like to thank the : InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa, the Direction for the Environment in French Polynesia, Vilebrequin swimwear, and Pacsafe, the European Outdoor Conservation Association, the Moorea Dolphin Center entity and Fenua Ma and all our volunteers.

The first one released Daki, is a green turtle found in the lagoon of Faa’a in Tahiti’s island by a resident. She arrived one year and a half ago, really weaken and close to die (size of a peanuts). After less than two years of cares at the Sea turtle Clinic, she was released by the Chief of the Police officer from Moorea and we wish her a long life…

The second one is Vairao, a young hawksbill turtle found in Tahiti, at Vairao on September 24th. She was injured by spire gun into the neck. We’re really pleased to see that she survived. She was released by Donatien Tanret and Jerôme Petit with whom we are developing the educational project “Heritage ocean“.

We thank you one more time Etienne Guillou and its scuba diving center from Sofitel Moorea, and the Direction of the Environment in French Polynesia.

Among the 6 green turtles equipped by satellite transmittors by the foundation, the journey the most surprising is for sure the one of Tereori…

Native from Rangiroa where she was founded injured by spire gun, Tereori was  immediately brought back to the Clinic thanks to Air Tahiti company, and released after many months of cares by the President of the French Polynesia, Mr Edouard Fritch. At her release, Tereori went straight away to the North. She has now travelled 1 600 km and overtaken the Tuamotu archipelagos. She is now at 600 kilometers Ouest from the Marquesas Islands… How far will she go to? You will know it in following our news.

<< Click here if you would like to read the news about Tereori and her release.

You can find out the movie of the event in using the below link (only in French) :
http://nouvellecaledonie.la1ere.fr/2015/05/13/la-tortue-moorea-relachee-par-l-aquarium-255583.html