LIFESPAN & LIFE CYCLE OF ONE OF EARTH’S MOST ANCIENT SPECIES
From May to October each year, green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) return to Con Dao to lay their eggs, beginning a life cycle filled with extraordinary challenges. After about 6 to 10 weeks buried in the sand, the hatchlings emerge and instinctively make their way to the ocean—embarking on a perilous journey of survival.
According to marine biology studies, only 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood. Natural predators, pollution, artificial lighting, and climate change pose serious threats to their survival from the very first moments of life.
Those that do survive take 25 to 30 years to mature, before returning—guided by a remarkable natural instinct—to the very beach where they were born. There, they lay eggs of their own, continuing a life cycle that has existed for millions of years. This makes sea turtles one of the few species with the longest migratory and reproductive journeys in the animal kingdom.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN CON DAO: 35 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND PROGRESS
Since 1987, Con Dao has made significant strides in sea turtle conservation. Today, Con Dao National Park operates 18 protection stations at major nesting sites, including Bay Canh Islet, Cau Islet, and Tre Lon Islet. Key initiatives such as mother turtle tagging, egg collection and relocation, and artificial incubation are carried out throughout the nesting season to improve hatchling survival rates.
According to Con Dao National Park, the nesting rate of sea turtles has surged from just 27% in 1993 to over 80% in 2022—with approximately 700 mother turtles returning to lay eggs each year. This remarkable achievement stems from close collaboration between local conservation forces and the surrounding community, working together to protect natural habitats and sustain the region’s turtle population.
Among the world’s seven recognized sea turtle species, six are currently listed as endangered or critically endangered by the IUCN. Con Dao is home to four of them: the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), and Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). This reinforces Con Dao’s strategic role as a vital biodiversity sanctuary within Southeast Asia’s marine ecosystem.
(Source: Con Dao National Park, WWF Vietnam, IUCN Red List)
SAVE TURTLES RUN: EVERY STEP FOR A GREENER OCEAN
Inspired by the extraordinary survival journey of sea turtles and the decades-long conservation efforts in Con Dao, the “Save Turtles Run” is an annual running event initiated by AKYN Hospitality Group and its member hotel, The Secret Con Dao. More than just a sporting event, it’s a meaningful platform for education, community engagement, and environmental action—uniting runners and nature lovers under a shared mission: protecting sea turtles and the ecosystems they call home.
With every stride, runners not only push their personal limits—but also help spread environmental awareness and support the protection of rare marine life on this pristine island.
Amid growing pressures on marine ecosystems, your participation in Save Turtles Run 2025 may seem like a small act—but it carries powerful meaning. Each step becomes a contribution to the survival of endangered sea turtles, giving strength to their enduring journey beneath the ocean’s blue waves.
