Kélonia, Sea turtle research museum in Saint-Leu, Réunion, France.
Kélonia is a sea turtle aquarium and museum in Saint-Leu, on the island of Réunion, combining indoor tanks, outdoor pools, and exhibition spaces. Several species are on display, and the layout guides visitors through the biology of sea turtles and their place in the Indian Ocean.
The site was originally a commercial turtle farm where animals were raised for food, a practice that was common on Réunion for decades. In the 1990s the farming activity stopped and the place was gradually turned into an education and research center.
The name Kélonia comes from the Greek word for turtle, which signals the focus of the place right away. In the outdoor pools, visitors can watch sea turtles move slowly through shallow water, and it is common to see families spending a long time simply watching them.
The walkway through the site is mostly flat and easy to follow, which makes it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. A visit of a couple of hours is usually enough to see everything at a comfortable pace, and mornings tend to be less crowded.
On the grounds there is a care unit where injured turtles are treated before being released back into the sea, and visitors can see this area through a glass window. Some of the turtles treated here have been spotted returning to the coast of Saint-Leu after their release, recognized by the tags they carry.
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