Aleenta Resorts Releases Baby Turtles and Commits to Long-term Conservation Project
PHUKET, Thailand - May 24, 2011 - Guests at the exclusive Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga resort were given the chance of a lifetime recently to help save indigenous turtles when they released 20 endangered baby leatherback turtles into the Andaman Sea.
The event was part of the Aleenta Resorts & Spas Mai Khao Marine Turtle Initiative, managed by corporate social responsibility group, Pure Blue Foundation, which also pioneered the groundbreaking reef restoration project off the coast of the resort. The Pure Blue Foundation was created by Aleenta Resorts founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn.
The resort has raised these particular baby turtles over the last few years and has shown its dedication to their cause by offering monthly support and funding to the Turtle Sanctuary, housed at the breathtaking Khao Lumpee-Haad Thaymuang National Park just 20 minutes south of the resort.
With this funding the resort employs a full-time representative to tend to more than 200 turtle hatchlings and rehabilitate injured turtles, as well as taking guests to visit the park. These particular 20 turtles were large enough to leave the nest and the sanctuary contacted Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga to ask if it would like to release them back to their natural habitat as the resort had cared and nurtured them from the start.
The release of the baby turtles - on the critically endangered in Thailand list since 1996 - is further evidence of the resort's strong commitment to remaining both environmentally friendly and socially responsible, while simultaneously offering guests a charming boutique hideaway on one of the world's most beautifully natural and exotic beaches.
“We are a resort built on guilt-free luxury and are delighted to continue this important work - as well as give our guests the opportunity to become involved,” said Ms Kijkanakorn. “It is the type of rewarding experience guests can enjoy when they stay with us.”
Following the turtle release, the resort donated another THB100,000 to the project and has committed to supporting the foundation in the long-term. Furthermore, on check-in, Aleenta offers guests information on turtle conservation and matches donations of THB40 per night to the Turtle Sanctuary.
The Pure Blue Foundation continues to raise funds and is currently holding an online auction which will close at 2pm on June 1, 2011 - and can be found by visiting:
http://auctions.weblite.ca/purebluefoundation/ http://www.mailprosx.com/mp/link.php?M=537387&N=1902&L=7235&F=H
For further information and high-resolution photography, please contact:
Anchalika Kijkanakorn
Managing Director
Akaryn Hospitality Management Services
Tel: +66 (0) 2514 8112
E-mail: [email protected]
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