Report Date: 2017-05-26

On 26 May 2017, South China Metropolis Daily reported on the conservation centre at Hainan Normal University. According to reports, in view of the South China Sea area turtle populations facing a serious situation, Hainan Normal University, Professor Shi Haitao set up a sea turtle protection centre, over the years, insisted on leading students to save sea turtles. In the last three years alone, they have rescued 51 sea turtles. ‘Sea turtles are endangered, I can not be indifferent.’ Shi Haitao said, to save the turtles can not be delayed. In 2014, Shi Haitao and Chinese-American Ye Zhengting, founder of 911 International Sea Turtle Rescue, established the Hainan Normal University Sea Turtle Conservation Centre, which is located in the Eco-Park of Hainan Normal University. The Centre has grown from a single person to the first student who led the rescue, to more masters and doctoral students, and then to its own doctoral and masters students who led undergraduate student volunteers to rescue the turtles. Today, the Centre has nearly 30 members, including 21 core undergraduate student volunteers.In 2015, Hainan Normal University's ‘Save China's Sea Turtles Project’ with 911 International Sea Turtle Rescue Organisation was selected for the ‘7th China-US Green Partnership Programme’ jointly supported by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the U.S. Department of State. The project has gained strong support from both China and the U.S. in terms of policy and international exchanges.

Shi Haitao and his graduate students work together to rescue injured sea turtles.

(Photo by Chen Weidong)

Attachment: Interview link：http://ngdsb.hinews.cn/html/2017-05/26/content_29_1.htm