Mojito, an adult hawksbill sea turtle, was just spotted off the southeastern coast of Martinique.
Hawksbills are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature; they’re a marvelous, mysterious species notable for often returning to the same places where they were born to nest.
That’s how Mojito was outfitted with a GPS tracker back in 2017 on Lovers Beach in Nevis, thanks to the efforts of the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the Nevis Turtle Group and the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which have for years held a unique event in the Caribbean: the Sea Turtle Conservation Weekend, which runs later this month from July 23-25, 2022.
Mojito is one of dozens of turtles who have been tagged for all-important tracking thanks to the efforts of the STC and Four Seasons — and now the event is back again for its 2022 edition.
In four years, Mojito has traveled almost 3,120 miles since she was first tagged in Nevis.
And this year’s event is all about sea turtles, with a packed agenda of education events, a kids camp, Night Walks and sea turtle releases.
The Night Walks, held after dark at beaches in Nevis, see guests join STC team members on a search for nesting sea turtles, with the hope of tagging and releasing them to learn more about their movements and to help protect them.
If a turtle is spotted and tagged, it’s then released the following morning right on Pinneys Beach at the Four Seasons Nevis.
It’s a rare, rich event in the Caribbean, one that marries the magnificent hospitality of the Four Seasons with an authentic, on-the-ground conservation experience.
“For more than 15 years, Four Seasons Resort Nevis has been dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles that inhabit the waters of Nevis and nest on its beaches. Our partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Nevis Turtle Group has aimed to educate and create awareness about the protection of these beautiful sea creatures through a joint program that helps researchers study the migration patterns of the endangered species that nest on our shores.”
For those who can’t attend the Turtle Week, the Four Seasons is also holding a summer-long program called the Sea Turtle Summer Camp Package, aimed at guests who stay for seven nights or more, featuring a Sea Turtle Adoption Kit, family-friendly activities, daily classes and arts experiences, guided nature walks, beach clean ups and even eco-bio golf. For more, visit the Sea Turtle Summer Camp.
To learn more, visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
Caribbean Journal is proud to be a media partner for this year’s event.