Hiwasa Sea Turtle Museum Caretta Renewal

The Hiwasa Sea Turtle Museum Caretta is a rare sea turtle museum located on Ohama Beach in Tokushima Prefecture, and is beloved as the oldest mecca for loggerhead turtle conservation activities in the region. At the same time, it also serves as the base facility for the local Minami Town's plan to increase the return rate of sea turtles.
From the perspective of animal welfare, this renovation has created a space that is easy for the sea turtles to live in and that is also comfortable for visitors, creating a place where people can learn about the coexistence of humans and nature through the sea turtles and nurturing the next generation of leaders.

・In order to enhance displays renovations in this renovation project, subsidies newly established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Cultural Tourism Promotion Act) will be utilized.
- Approximately 20 years have passed since the last renovation, and we will work to improve the environment in which sea turtles are kept from the perspective of animal welfare, while also making effective use of existing cultural resources.
- Position it as a base facility with the aim of increasing the return rate of animals to Minami Town, and increase visitor satisfaction.

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To improve the appeal of displays, we worked with Minami-cho to develop a three-year business plan and provided support for applying for subsidies step by step.
・We have improved the environment for the animals, including by adding an outdoor pool, and adopted new displays configurations and methods that utilize existing cultural materials to develop displays that are easy for visitors to understand. In addition, we have incorporated symbolic displays that enhance the sense of renewal, and ideas that allow visitors to gain new insights and discoveries every time they visit.
・We aimed to create a facility that will continue to be loved for many years to come, providing an environment and displays suitable for use as a base for increasing the return rate of Minami-cho, and offering information and experiences that will make visitors want to return.