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Since its inception in 2015, the story of Project Biodiversity has been one of strength, resilience, and determination. Each season, over 50 staff members and volunteers dedicate their time to protecting nesting Loggerhead turtles from poachers by patroling the beaches each night. As a field assistant I joined the Project Biodiversity team in June this year, aiming to aide in the protection of nesting sea turtles in Sal.
Why are we here?
Cabo Verde is home to the world´s 3rd largest population of threatened Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). However, the subpopulation that nests in the islands of the archipelago is listed as one of the 11 most threatened populations of sea turtles in the world. Unfortunately, this is only exacerbated by persistent illegal poaching of the female Loggerhead for her meat.
Sea turtles are magnificent animals and in Sal we have recorded, in this year alone, over 200 female turtles killed, 18% of the nesting population! To witness a dead, butchered sea turtle is a sight that breaks every conservationist’s heart. These turtles have survived from a hatchling at a survival rate of 1 in 1000, have survived to an age of at least 20 years, successfully mated and made it to their nesting beach to lay their nest and during this process have been killed for their meat, whilst the majority of their organs and carcass is left on the beach to rot and waste. As a project we are teaching, educating, working and reaching out to all the people of Sal and this is where we need your help. With increased funding we can travel to every corner of the island and reach as many people and protect as many beaches as is humanly possible.
Sal is a hugely popular tourist destination that brings both negative and positive results for sea turtles. The developments of Santa Maria and its hotels outside the town are devastating to the hatchling turtles making their way to the sea. As the hatchlings use the brightest horizon to find the ocean, thousands of baby turtles would be wandering around the city looking for the ocean, following the lights of the city and hotels, without the work of the PB team. All season we move ´doomed´ nests to safer beaches where the turtles can safely make it to the sea, or to our hatchery where we can safely release the turtles. With ongoing development it is imperative that the team are here as a voice to protect the remaining safe areas for the turtles and their surrounding wildlife and to advise existing establishments on how to reduce their impact on their surroundings.
In coming to Sal I was hoping to find a NGO that I could fully embrace and find a place to really drive the conservation effort of sea turtles, and to say that I have found that here is an understatement. Project Biodiversity are a determined and passionate team and I can honestly say that I have found in them a family that I cannot wait to continue to work with. The job we undertake is a selfless position, working all hours, every day, all week (trust me, a day off is non-existent in this field!) but the work is the most rewarding experience you could ask for. To consider a future without Project Biodiversity means a future that would devastate the population of sea turtles and the conservation effort here in Sal. For this reason we need your help to continue to drive for the protection and conservation of the wildlife and habitat of Sal.
How you can help us
Fund Transport for Sea Turtle Protection in Sal Island, Cabo Verde
For the last two seasons, numerous obstacles - from faulty gears to perpetually overheated engines - have made safe transport for our patrol teams an enormous challenge.
That's why this year, we're dreaming big. We're hoping to raise 14.000 € - enough to purchase a reliable truck in good working order - and we need your help. Support us by making a donation on this page - any donations over 25€ will receive a special gift as a token of our appreciation.
What happens when we meet our goal?
The received donations will go towards financing a reliable vehicle for the project, which will allow us to improve the patrols, cover more beaches and ensure a fast response in emergency situations. Any additional funding will go straight towards improving our capacity for better turtle protection, including new equipment, educational material, and outreach opportunities for the coming nesting seasons.
I made a donation! How else can I help?
As supporters, you are part of our extended team, with networks spanning across the globe. In addition to making a donation, Fundrazr also gives you the option to set up your own fundraising page on behalf of the project, and has the potential to help us expand the campaign's reach even farther. To set up your own page on behalf of the campaign, click here and follow the directions for easy set up! https://fundrazr.com
For more information, please visit:
Video Endangered Sea Turtles in Cabo Verde, by Nakawe Project
Video about the Work of the Volunteers during the Sea Turtle Protection Campaign, by Nakawe Project
SeeTurtles.org: http://www.seeturtles.org/sea-turtle-info/
IUCN – Marine Turtle Specialist Group: https://iucn-mtsg.org
Perks
You’ll get a chance to give the name and birthday (hatch date) of your turtle. We'll send you via e-mail a certificate when your turtle is born with a picture of it! A wonderful gift for friends and family that you can be sure will truly make a difference. Very recommended as an original Christmas gift!!
Complete the adoption of a baby turtle with a turtle toy! This toy is made by hand by a young Cabo Verdean couple from Sal Island. Choosing this gift you are not only helping Project Biodiversity, but supporting a local initiative and sustainable development.
Get also recognition in our website! When you sponsor an adult turtle, you'll get to name a turtle that the project staff tagged during the season, you will receive a certificate of adoption with additional information including tag numbers and microchip id, and will inform you about her nesting activity on Sal every season we see her!! You will also receive a Turtle Toy to complete your original gift. This toy is made by hand by a young Cabo Verdean couple from Sal Island. Choosing this gift you are not only helping Project Biodiversity, but supporting a local initiative and sustainable development.
If you can’t decide what do you like the most, this is your option! Adopt an Adult Turtle and receive an official Project Biodiversity T-Shirt, a Turtle Toy and our special bookmarks to make sure that you don’t forget us when you read. You will also be acknowledged in our website!
- 20 remaining
Spend a day as a member of our turtle team! If you plan a visit to Sal Island, have an amazing experience with the members of Project Biodiversity. You will get immersed in turtle conservation, being side by side with the staff while working with nesting turtles, visiting the camp and having food with the staff, and even helping release baby turtles! The activities will depend on the time of the year.
- 8 remaining
Secure your company logo on our new vehicle, as well as permanent public recognition on our website and social media. If you have a company (or work for it) with green policies or with environmental concerns, or you just want to make it more environmental friendly, this is your option. Have your logo in our working car and be present in our website and social media. You can even use this to promote your business!
Highlights
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To appear in our community, simply make a contribution to our campaign
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CopyYou’ll get a chance to give the name and birthday (hatch date) of your turtle. We'll send you via e-mail a certificate when your turtle is born with a picture of it! A wonderful gift for friends and family that you can be sure will truly make a difference. Very recommended as an original Christmas gift!!
Complete the adoption of a baby turtle with a turtle toy! This toy is made by hand by a young Cabo Verdean couple from Sal Island. Choosing this gift you are not only helping Project Biodiversity, but supporting a local initiative and sustainable development.
Get also recognition in our website! When you sponsor an adult turtle, you'll get to name a turtle that the project staff tagged during the season, you will receive a certificate of adoption with additional information including tag numbers and microchip id, and will inform you about her nesting activity on Sal every season we see her!! You will also receive a Turtle Toy to complete your original gift. This toy is made by hand by a young Cabo Verdean couple from Sal Island. Choosing this gift you are not only helping Project Biodiversity, but supporting a local initiative and sustainable development.
If you can’t decide what do you like the most, this is your option! Adopt an Adult Turtle and receive an official Project Biodiversity T-Shirt, a Turtle Toy and our special bookmarks to make sure that you don’t forget us when you read. You will also be acknowledged in our website!
- 20 remaining
Spend a day as a member of our turtle team! If you plan a visit to Sal Island, have an amazing experience with the members of Project Biodiversity. You will get immersed in turtle conservation, being side by side with the staff while working with nesting turtles, visiting the camp and having food with the staff, and even helping release baby turtles! The activities will depend on the time of the year.
- 8 remaining
Secure your company logo on our new vehicle, as well as permanent public recognition on our website and social media. If you have a company (or work for it) with green policies or with environmental concerns, or you just want to make it more environmental friendly, this is your option. Have your logo in our working car and be present in our website and social media. You can even use this to promote your business!
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