This month we have great news – although very late (official Manta season is from May to November), the Manta rays seem to have finally arrived in September, and we are consistently spotting them around Lankan Point. Threatened by a destructive and senseless gill raker trade (read more here) as well as by the climate change (read more here) these have become a less common sight in the past few years, and we are very pleased to see these majestic animals… and trust us – Mantas are truly fascinating; you simply cannot help yourself from smiling when an inquisitive manta surprises you by coming straight out of the blue, curiously confronts you, hovers just above, and then gracefully zooms off in the distance.
Mantas aside, during the month our Marine Biologist attended a few IUCN/Seamarc/Kuoni workshops at Four Seasons at Kuda Huraa, where representatives from the EPA Maldives, Marine Research Centre, and the marine biologists from all over North Male Atoll got together to discuss current issues, new projects and reef survey methodologies. We at Gili Lankanfushi are very enthusiastic participating in the new conservation projects, and we shall keep you updated on our progress.
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| IUCN/Seamarc/KUONI held a workshop on Climate Change, Coral Reefs and Tourism in the Maldives |
On our visit to Kuda Huraa we also checked how is Peggy doing (Peggy is the sea turtle that we have rescued in July). We found that her condition is improving, however it will still take some time until the buoyancy is fully back to normal (when we first found her she was very buoyant, and just floated on the surface, unable to dive down).
We have also been working hard on developing a book about our island for our guests. Everything – the history of Maldives, the wildlife of Lankanfushi, and the operation of our island will be included there for our guests to read during their stay with us. We look forward to finalising it, and presenting to our guests.
We have also been working hard on developing a book about our island for our guests. Everything – the history of Maldives, the wildlife of Lankanfushi, and the operation of our island will be included there for our guests to read during their stay with us. We look forward to finalising it, and presenting to our guests.