Kudadoos sustainability efforts the highlight of which are solar panels on the roof of The Retreat that power the private island in its entirety also comprise of extensive ocean conservation endeavours. In partnership with Prodivers Maldives, the Manta Trust and Olive Ridley Project, vast efforts are put into protecting the fragile marine environment the private island is a part of.
Under the auspices of the Marine Biology Centre located at
Hurawalhi, Kudadoos sister property and neighbouring island, two resident
marine biologists and Manta Trust researchers share their knowledge
and answer all Kudadoo residents questions about the underwater world and
explain more about current conservation projects. As regional project managers
for Manta Trusts Maldivian Manta Ray Project, the marine biologists can take
you on private manta ray search excursions and provide precious insights into
the Maldives enormous manta ray population; in Lhaviyani Atoll alone 380
individual manta rays have been identified so far! Currently there is also a
coral restoration project running at Hurawalhi, which your butler can also
arrange for you to visit if you wish to gain an even deeper understanding of
the archipelagos reefs and our efforts to conserve them.
Working closely together with a sea turtle protection and
research program, Olive Ridley project, by staying at Kudadoo you also
have a unique opportunity to swim with and to learn more about the Maldives
sea turtle population. Over 400 sea turtles have been identified in our atoll,
and the majority of them can be found at the renowned hot spot, Kuredu, a short
boat ride away from Kudadoo. As with manta rays, you are encouraged to
contribute to research by participating in citizen science, ie. contributing
photographs in order for the turtle biologist to try to identify the
individuals and help develop what is one of the worlds largest turtle photo ID
databases, maintained in order to better understand and thereby help these
endangered marine reptiles. Olive Ridley Project and Prodivers teams have
also been instrumental in removing ghost nets from the surrounding waters and
saving many turtles and other marine life by doing so.
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