"Warriors" protecting sea turtles

Sea turtle conservation is one of the activities of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), starting from Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau province), then expanding to Nui Chua National Park (Ninh Thuan), Hon Cau Marine Protected Area (Binh Thuan).

Passionate about work

Ho Huu Toan is a volunteer (TNV) for IUCN sea turtle conservation, batch 6 - 2024 at Hon Bay Canh Conservation Area - Con Dao National Park.

To officially become a member of the program, he went through a rigorous selection process to demonstrate his knowledge of sea turtles and his enthusiasm and commitment to the activity. Volunteers wake up at dawn to watch over the turtles, wait for them to lay eggs, fill in holes, mark holes, and when the turtles have finished laying eggs, move them to the incubation pond... Volunteers have very little sleep time. Through volunteer activities, Huu Toan understands more about the hardships of the rangers here. "Just loving nature is not enough. To do the job well, you need energy, endurance, and the ability to maintain a schedule with your own time zone - which I call the sea turtle time zone" - Huu Toan emphasized. Not only understanding the biological characteristics and life of sea turtles, young people also demonstrate their ability to adapt to living conditions lacking in material things and having previous experience in community activities is an advantage.

Not only Huu Toan, Le Thi Ba (28 years old, traditional medicine doctor) took half a month off to join the program. Starting from Hanoi, Le Thi Ba took 2 flights to Con Dao. 12 days of being attached to nature and people here were like beautiful films. She remembered the moment of observing the mother turtle laying eggs on the first night at Hon Bay Canh. The mother turtle gradually came ashore, chose a place, pushed sand and laid eggs. It took a long time for the mother turtle to mature and return to the place where it was born to carry out its mission. Although she had read books and watched videos, Ba was very moved when she witnessed that scene directly. The moment the baby turtle returned to the sea also impressed Ba. "Hearing the sound of the waves and finding the place where it belonged, the baby turtle used all its strength to swim out to the sea. At that time, I found the law of nature so miraculous" - Ba said.

Những — IUCN Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Team 6 - 2024 come from many fields but all share a love of nature. Photo: NAM BUI

Overcome yourself

During their life cycle, sea turtles face many threats from fishing activities and environmental pollution... Statistics show that for every 1,000 baby turtles hatched, only 1 survives, matures and then returns to the nesting ground.

The Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Program contributes to raising community awareness, starting with the volunteers. Each volunteer returning to their daily lives truly becomes a "sea turtle ambassador", helping people better understand sea turtle conservation, marine environment conservation and biodiversity in general.

Le Thi Ba said that the wonderful things she received when becoming a volunteer are hard to describe. Although she often participates in social projects, this is the first time the target is sea turtles. Ba also overcame her personal fear: the dark. Sea turtle conservation activities mostly take place at night. The darkness embraces the mother turtle, giving her a sense of security and making the starry sky brighter, her other senses more sensitive. After each shift, she gradually changes. "I can follow the footprints and monitor every step of the mother turtle when she goes to the beach, listen to the sound of digging holes, and know that the mother turtle is moving heavily. I have overcome myself" - Ba said.

Living and working on the island, immersing in nature, with other volunteers and forest rangers who are dedicated to sea turtle conservation, inspires young people to live positively. "I feel lucky to fully enjoy the journey as a volunteer in sea turtle conservation" - Toan confided.

When determining the goal, difficulties are no longer a barrier for volunteers. On the other hand, working with individuals full of responsibility and enthusiasm is also an opportunity for Toan to learn and grow. He continuously has many articles on his personal page that attract a lot of attention. In it, he summarizes useful information and experiences and is willing to support other young people to continue this activity.