Aquarium staff and Hawaiian Cultural Advisor Kahu Dane Maxwell welcome Maui’s kama‘aina community and visitors to visit and view the hatchlings at the park; Kahu Dane presided over a blessing of the hatchlings and the Turtle Lagoon exhibit on Nov. 1.
The hatchlings will be hosted by Maui Ocean Center for the next two years where they will serve as ambassadors of their species.
Hawaiian green sea turtles are classified as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The presence of sea turtles and their integration into the Aquarium’s education programs aims to teach guests about Hawaiian green sea turtles, the challenges they face, and what people can do to promote the conservation of Hawaii’s sea turtles.
Two hatchlings will be rotated daily from behind the scenes to Turtle Lagoon, allowing guests to see the turtles during park hours. The Aquarium provides guests with a number of educational opportunities and encounters with the turtles, including daily presentations at Turtle Lagoon and bi-weekly “Turtle-rrific Thursday” presentations.
Guests also can upgrade their admission to include a Behind-the-Scenes Tour to gain exclusive access to the Aquarium Lab, see the hatchlings up-close, and speak with the team of curators who raise and take care of the sea turtles.
Photo courtesy of Maui Ocean Center
Comments
comments