During my recent visit to French Polynesia, on Moorea, I had the opportunity to accompany the association for the protection of marine turtles, Te mana o te moana (“The spirit of the ocean” in Polynesian), in their actions.
It was in 2004 that Cécile Gaspar, veterinarian, creates the structure. Since then, nearly 160 turtles have been collected in the turtle clinic. Sick, injured or victims of poaching, Cécile's team provide them with all the necessary care in order to be able to release them into their natural environment.
The turtles have a spacious enclosure in the lagoon. They are fed by the staff of the association, but can also hunt small fish that circulate.
Unfortunately, some can never be released. This is the case with Matapo, found with an arrow in her eyes, making her blind. Tortilla, handicapped by a pocket of gas which formed under its shell, preventing it from diving deep.
This October 28, 2010, Tini, a young green turtle found with an arrow stuck in a fin, was freed after a few weeks of care in the clinic. We released him beyond Opunohu Pass. It is the first turtle released by the association, with an Argos beacon, which will allow for a while to follow its course, and perhaps to learn more about their migration.
The association carries out numerous awareness-raising, research, conservation and communication actions for marine turtles but also for the protection of the oceans.
Find Cécile and her team on the website www.temanaotemoana.org
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