In an era where protecting the natural world is not just an idea but a necessity, wildlife conservation is a global imperative. Each year, Wildlife Conservation Day reminds us of the fragile diversity of our planet’s ecosystems and the urgent need to safeguard its inhabitants. To mark this occasion, BIRD celebrates a few of the extraordinary initiatives that are redefining sustainable hospitality, from seahorse repopulation along the Mediterranean coast and rainforest revival in Ecuador to sea-turtle hatchling releases in Vietnam and leopards corridors in Sri Lanka.
Resplendent Ceylon – Protecting the Island’s Majestic Leopards
Created by the Fernando family – founders of Dilmah, Sri Lanka’s foremost tea brand – Resplendent Ceylon has become a benchmark for sustainable luxury in Sri Lanka. Rooted in the belief that business should uplift both people and planet, the brand’s nature-immersed resorts place conservation, community and culture at the heart of every stay. One of its flagship initiatives is the Peak Ridge Corridor Project, a pioneering collaboration between Resplendent Ceylon, the Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT). Centred on an 18 km ridge between the Castlereagh and Moussakelle reservoirs, this effort works to secure habitat and safe passage for the Sri Lankan leopard, along the edge of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. Further restoration work continues through the Model Montane Forest Project, which helps reverse deforestation by restoring native montane forest ecosystems. At Ceylon Tea Trails, you can join tree-planting activities and witness the renewal of these precious highland landscapes. Wild Coast Tented Lodge works with partners such as the Wildlife & Nature Protection Society and Small Cats Advocacy & Research to protect both the Sri Lankan leopard and the island’s elusive small cat species. The team also restores habitats by removing invasive plants and empowers nearby communities through education, to reduce human–animal conflict.
Championing Marine Restoration
Marbella Club
Framed by the Sierra Blanca mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Marbella has evolved beyond its glamorous heritage to become one of Europe’s leading destinations for sustainability. At the heart of this evolution, Marbella Club blends luxury with a commitment to preserving the region’s unique microclimate. Now in its second edition, La Concha Conversations positions the property as a hub for sustainability discussions across the Mediterranean, where the 2025 edition was entirely dedicated to the theme of biodiversity. Beyond conversation, Marbella Club is the principal sponsor of a marine biodiversity initiative with the Aula del Mar Foundation, rewilding the Andalusian coast through seagrass restoration and seahorse reintroduction as part of an IUCN-backed project. Entering its fourth year, the programme has already seen encouraging progress, with seahorse populations returning to restored habitats. Looking ahead to 2026, the hotel will expand its Seahorse Conservation Programme for families at its Kids Club, deepening its role as a leader in sustainable Mediterranean hospitality.
Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao, set in Vietnam’s Con Dao archipelago, goes far beyond sustainability quotas with pioneering initiatives, most notably its flagship turtle conservation programme at the Let’s Get Cracking Incubation Centre. The resort’s untouched 1.5-kilometre beach and protected marine area becomes a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, with the centre protecting eggs and hatchlings during their most vulnerable stages. Since 2018, more than 30,000 baby turtles have been safely released into the wild. You can witness and even join the magical moment of hatchling releases from May through to December. Sustainability runs through every aspect of the resort, from eliminating single-use plastics to organic gardens supplying produce for the kitchen. Innovative guest experiences, such as Feed the Fish Golf using biodegradable balls that dissolve into fish food, bring a touch of playfulness to eco-practices, while broader community efforts include twice-weekly English classes for local children. The resort also filters its own mineral water in reusable glass bottles, with profits providing water filter machines for local schools. The Earth Lab invites you to learn some handy life hacks, from making chemical-free detergent to extracting the essential oils from herbs grown in their gardens.
Finch Bay Hotel
Finch Bay Hotel provides easy access to the Galápagos’ pristine marine environment, with naturalist guides leading scuba tours to see species such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays, sea lions, green sea turtles and marine iguanas. The hotel proudly supports major conservation and scientific research, including a partnership with USFQ tracking migratory whale sharks through photo ID and satellite tagging, and a collaboration with JOCOTOCO on Isabela Island to control invasive species, developing eradication and habitat restoration strategies, and engaging local communities through education and awareness programs. In the hotel, Finch Bay’s sustainability-first philosophy ensures an eco-focused stay; powered by 364 solar panels, the largest private renewable energy investment in the Galápagos, and sources over 40% of its food locally from Santa Cruz Island.
Soneva Fushi
In 2023, Soneva Fushi, the pioneering luxury resort in the Maldives, unveiled the AquaTerra Centre, a state-of-the-art hub for conservation, education and scientific research. The centre further deepens the resort’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and its mission to understand, protect and restore the surrounding natural environment, both on land and in the ocean. AquaTerra serves as the focal point for Soneva’s conservation initiatives, including its ongoing Coral Restoration Programme. It offers you inspiring, educational experiences that highlight the richness of the local ecosystem and hosts cutting-edge scientific research through collaborations with leading universities and visiting scientists.
Mashpi Lodge – Protecting the Heart of Ecuador’s Cloud Forest
A centre for conservation in the heart of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, Mashpi Lodge continues to break bounds in biodiversity research with 24 species newly discovered since opening 12 years ago. Working together with Mashpi’s full-time team of local naturalist guides, biologists and leading scientists, Mashpi Lodge is committed to ensuring regeneration of the over 3,000HA Mashpi Reserve, home to over 500 species of plants, 400 species of birds (36 of which are endemic), 300 species of moths and butterflies, as well as monkeys, ocelots and pumas. Bought back in 2006 to stop deforestation, Mashpi prioritises collaboration with neighbouring communities: 85% of staff are local, many formerly employed in logging, mining or hunting and now trained as guides, lodge staff and para-biologists. You can join conservationists in biodiversity research, from analysing eco-acoustic data via the Forest Guardians project to joining scientist-led walks and birdwatching excursions.
What’s To Come…
The Malikai – A New Dawn for Oman’s Wild Landscapes
The Malkai, is a new family-owned, experience-led hospitality concept launching from autumn 2026, offering you a unique immersion into the Sultanate of Oman. This timeless Omani pilgrimage invites you on an inspiring journey between the three Malkai sites for immersive four-to ten-night journeys. This includes privileged access to an exclusive private island within the Al Dimaniyat archipelago, a protected nature reserve off the coast of Barkaa. A snorkeller’s paradise, this pristine conservation reserve protects vibrant coral reefs and secluded beaches, ideal for observing nesting turtles, whale sharks and abundant birdlife.
These destinations offer you the opportunity to engage directly with initiatives that protect biodiversity, restore fragile habitats and empower local communities, demonstrating how responsible travel can support the delicate balance between humans and the natural world for generations to come.
