The Olive Ridley Project is close to the hearts of Coco Collection’s guests as well as associates and on the 19th of November, Coco Bodu Hithi will welcome Dr. Jillian Hudgins for a fascinating journey to learn more about the charismatic Maldivian Sea Turtles.

(TRAVPR.COM) MALDIVES - November 6th, 2014 - Coco Collection is excited to welcome Dr. Jillian Amy Hudgins, the Project Scientist of the Olive Ridley Project, to the luxurious beaches of Coco Bodu Hithi. Joined by our resident Marine Biologist Chiara Fumagalli, Dr. Hudgins will spend 2 days on the island engaging guests and associates in interactive and informative presentations while learning more about the sea turtles around the rich waters of Coco Bodu Hithi.

“In 2011, I arrived in Maldives where my journey began with an independent Marine consultancy company. While working on coral reef restorations and sea turtle rehabilitation, I was also in charge of the Maldives Sea Turtle Identification Program. I’m very excited to meet the guests and associates at Coco Bodu Hithi soon and tell them more about our important work at the Olive Ridley Project to protect these wonderful marine creatures”, comments Dr. Jillian Hudgins, Ph.D. in Planetary and Earth Sciences, Divemaster and Scientific Diver.

Established in 2013, the Olive Ridley Project aims to educate the community about the detrimental effects of ghost nets that have been abandoned or lost in the ocean, continuing to entangle vulnerable marine animals. Actively fighting ghost nets in the Indian Ocean, the Olive Ridley Project relies on the involvement of dedicated individuals and Coco Collection is proud to collaborate with the project to rescue affected animals and collect data to contribute to the research for sustainable fishing techniques.

“This is an exciting opportunity for guests to discover our contribution towards the conservation of endangered sea turtles in Maldives!”, comments Chiara Fumagalli, Coco Collection’s resident Marine Biologist who initiated the Sea Turtle and Manta Ray Identification Programs at Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. “It is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to join an underwater excursion to meet our resident sea turtles alongside Jill, a seasoned Scientific Diver who has vast knowledge of the marine life in the Indian Ocean.”

Coco Collection is proud to host this initiative at Coco Bodu Hithi and looks forward to Dr. Hudgin’s visit to Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, for further collaborations to protect the endangered marine species in Maldives.

About Coco Collection:
Coco Collection is a prestigious hotel group, and a subsidiary of Sunland Hotels. Since opening the flagship hotel in July 2007, the company has continued to grow and develop its reputation as a trailblazer in stylish, sophisticated yet sustainable hospitality. Coco Collection's portfolio comprises three distinct brands, Coco Resorts : Hotels : Retreats, Coco Privé and Coco Palm. The Coco Resorts : Hotels : Retreats includes the luxury resort Coco Bodu Hithi; Coco Palm features the environmentally conscious escape Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu; and Coco Privé consists of the private and exclusive Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island. Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are both Preferred Boutique Hotels, members of the global Preferred Hotel Group Association. Coco Collection offers customers an extensive and unique array of properties, services and experiences to choose from. 

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