Four Seasons Resort Maldives and the Manta trust dive into ocean conservation with new Manta ray app

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

In an enduring commitment to support environmental NGOs and promote the importance of ocean conservation, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has joined forces with the renowned environmental organization, The Manta Trust. Together, they have created an innovative interactive application dedicated to exploring the mesmerizing world of manta rays, one of the ocean’s most remarkable marvels.

This collaboration, spanning over 17 years, marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Four Seasons and The Manta Trust, which was initiated when Guy Stevens, the Chief Executive and Founder of The Manta Trust, had a life-changing encounter with mantas while working as a marine biologist at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru.

The Manta Story app, developed by Loopcraft and available as a free download on digital devices, offers a captivating virtual reality experience. It takes users on a captivating journey into the realm of manta rays, providing insights into their enchanting courtship rituals, feeding habits, cleaning behaviors, and even the process of manta pregnancy and birth. The content is based on the actual manta ray population studied by Guy Stevens and his team in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. At each stage of the learning journey, users can access additional facts and test their knowledge through an interactive quiz.

Furthermore, the app offers various ways to support The Manta Trust’s conservation efforts, as it is a UK-registered charity dedicated to the global preservation of mantas and their close relatives. Users can opt to make donations, symbolically adopt a manta, or become part of the “Cyclone” community, a group of supporters who actively contribute to the conservation of ocean rays, their relatives, and their habitats.

Armando Kraenzlin, the Four Seasons Regional Vice President and General Manager, expressed his pride and delight in the collaborative creation of the app with The Manta Trust and their dedicated in-house tech team. He emphasized their mission to inspire people worldwide to join the cause of conserving these gentle giants and their marine environments, as interacting closely with them is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

The app offers an immersive experience with narration by the British actor and environmentalist, David Oakes, known for his work in shows like Netflix’s “Vikings: Valhalla” and ITV’s “Victoria.” Oakes, who shares a deep affinity for manta rays, was honored to lend his voice to the Manta Story app. He passionately supports various conservation causes, including The Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts, and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Oakes shares his firsthand encounters with Maldivian mantas, highlighting the app’s role in conveying the remarkable story of our planet’s mantas.

In addition to the Manta Story app, Landaa Giraavaru recently introduced the Hologram Room, allowing families to virtually “swim” alongside the mantas of the Baa Atoll. The resort offers other educational experiences related to manta rays, such as Manta-on-Call snorkelling adventures and a Trainee Manta Biologist module, which provides young conservation enthusiasts with valuable insights into the world of Manta Trust scientists.

Landaa Giraavaru serves as a hub for marine research in the Maldives, collaborating with local and national environmental agencies and employing ten full-time marine biologists dedicated to groundbreaking conservation projects. These initiatives encompass sea turtle rehabilitation, coral propagation, anemone mapping, and more. The resort also partners with the NOW Force for Good Alliance and EarthCheck, ensuring that its presence in Baa Atoll remains as beneficial as possible.

David Oakes acknowledges the instrumental role of Four Seasons in the Maldives in the continued success of The Manta Trust. He believes that the Manta Story app is just the beginning of their deep-rooted commitment to conservation.

Source: Four Seasons Resort

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