Remains of poached animals evaluated

In the past, our Cape Verdean team has repeatedly come across relics of killed loggerhead turtles on stretches of beach – sometimes easily identifiable, other times clearly marked by the passage of time. To keep track of current poaching cases, the Dog and Drone Team systemically recorded and removed bones and shells left behind on the island’s beaches during the last off-season.

Initial analyses have now been completed: A total of 1,061 finds were recorded, 647 of which were identified as individual animals. In 414 cases, these consisted of accumulations of bones that could not be clearly attributed to a single animal due to missing parts, such as skulls, carapaces or jaws. The largest accumulation of bone finds was discovered in the Cruz do Morto area – the north-east of Boa Vista – in the hinterland.

This area, which is difficult to observe from the beach, seems to be predestined site for carrying female turtles to be slaughtered unnoticed. We therefore draw our conclusions: The Dog and Drone Team will continue to be deployed more frequently in this hotspot during the nesting season (June to October).

Data collection of a killed loggerhead turtle on the beach

Are you still looking for a suitable gift for someone special? In addition to the classic donation, you can also support us by symbolically adopting a turtle species of your choice. For one year (or longer if you wish), you will help us to protect the habitat of your favourite sea turtle.