Successful nesting season on Boa Vista

A few weeks ago, we were able to celebrate the end of a successful nesting season for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) on Boa Vista. Between June and October 2024, we could count a total of 19,320 nests on the sections of beach under our protection. This is almost 9,000 more nests than in the previous year.

While the reasons for the strong fluctuations in nest numbers in Cabo Verde remain unclear, we are confident that this nesting population can be saved from extinction in the long term.

Together with 48 seasonal and 7 year-round rangers as well as 55 (inter-)national volunteers, around 4,000 female loggerhead turtles were effectively protected from poaching. In addition, the Fundação Tartaruga team was able to track down 65 animals that got lost on their way back and could return them to the sea in time. Only six turtles fell victim to poaching this year, continuing the downward trend of recent years, which we have been able to significantly influence through our presence on the nesting beaches.

Do you like what we have been able to achieve for the sustainable protection of sea turtles in Cabo Verde? Would you like to play an active role in ensuring that this positive trend continues? Financial support is essential for our work on Boa Vista so that we can continue to protect the loggerhead sea turtle on its nesting beaches in the future. By supporting us with a regular donation, you make it possible for us to cover ranger salaries, essential educational work, and our beach protection camps.