Cayman Turtle Centre park attraction closes at noon today to the public

Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (CTCEC) announced this morning they will be temporary closing their Cayman Turtle Centre park attraction to the public at NOON today. CTCEC has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation throughout the world and in the Cayman Islands. On Sunday March 15th adjustments to the Centre’s public operation and the provision of guest services were announced, with additional precautionary measures. The Centre implemented stringent sanitizing procedures several weeks earlier as an enhanced measure against the exposure to COVID-19.

Today, in light of the latest facts and related official announcements, CTCEC has made a decision to temporarily close the public facing side of the Centre. This is a decision that our CEO and Executive Management Team have concluded is in the best interest of the public our staff, and our animals. The closure to the public coincides with the Cayman Islands Government and Public Health’s advisories, and further enhancements to precautionary measures that are being encouraged by authorities.

CEO Tim Adam further stated “The closure starting at mid-day today, also enables us to accelerate the cross-training of our Crew Members so that we have can commence the creation of trained backup teams to perform essential animal care, as a contingency just in case our existing teams that do this work on a daily basis become short-staffed due to self-isolation or required isolation. Those existing teams have also been rescheduled with the objective of ensuring ample staffing coverage for essential animal care.”

These temporary measures we are certain will pay off for all of us in the long run. Our closure to the public includes the closing of all exhibits, public attended programmes, restaurant, café and pool side bar and our souvenir & gift stores.

Our staff members have been blessed with good health, and we have not had any members with reported cases of COVID-19 to date.

“Our Crew Members will still be carrying out conservation and research activities as we continue to pursue our sea turtle conservation goals. Animal conservation and research projects are always ongoing and the Centre’s administration will continue,” said Mrs. Renee Howell, Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to spruce up the Centre, take inventory and get a lot of our ‘to-do’ list items checked off that we can’t normally get done in the busy season when guests are present. We will endeavor to keep all our staff employed and fully occupied during this time.”

The Centre’s animals will continue to be fed and cared for as a top priority.

Steps have been taken to ensure the welfare of the animals, including the turtles, fish, birds and other wildlife under the Centre’s care. “The care for our animals will continue to be provided,” said Mr. Tim Adam, CEO for the Centre.

CTCEC is very grateful for the cooperation and support of the government and all the people of the Cayman Islands during this time.