Turtle Foundation
In the heart of Cape Verde, an anti-poaching organization stands out for its efforts to safeguard sea turtles threatened by decline. As guardians of these travelers who come to lay their eggs on the sand, the Turtle Foundation does more than just monitor the beaches day and night; it also raises community awareness about the richness of their natural heritage.
Dogs and drones to protect turtles?
Boa Vista Island is one of the world's most important nesting sites for the Loggerhead sea turtle. However, this sanctuary is fragile. Every year, hundreds of females climb onto the beaches to entrust their eggs to the sand, becoming extremely vulnerable in the process.
The problem: Monitoring 70 km of vast, wild beaches on foot is an impossible task. This vastness used to play into the hands of poachers: in 2017, more than 230 turtles were killed for their meat. Without intervention, the local turtle population faced an irreversible decline.
The problem: Monitoring 70 km of vast, wild beaches on foot is an impossible task. This vastness used to play into the hands of poachers: in 2017, more than 230 turtles were killed for their meat. Without intervention, the local turtle population faced an irreversible decline.
The Mission: Preventing poaching across the coast
Poaching has long been a major threat on the vast beaches of Boa Vista. In partnership with the Turtle Foundation, we support the deployment of a unique intervention force:
- Thermal Vision Drones: Flying over the coast at night, they spot turtles in distress and detect poachers before they even approach.
- Conservation Dogs: Experts like Kelo and the young Olivia use their super-nose to detect poacher tracks and turtle meat smuggling in ports and airports, effectively cutting off illegal traffic routes.
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- Thermal Vision Drones: Flying over the coast at night, they spot turtles in distress and detect poachers before they even approach.
- Conservation Dogs: Experts like Kelo and the young Olivia use their super-nose to detect poacher tracks and turtle meat smuggling in ports and airports, effectively cutting off illegal traffic routes.
Scroll to explore.
The Result in 2025:
Poaching incidents dropped from 238 in 2017 to only 6 in 2025. This represents a massive victory for biodiversity.
Approx. 70 surveillance missions of the dog and drone team along particularly threatened beaches.
47 sea turtles rescued in distress and 6 documented poaching incidents.
Approx. 70 surveillance missions of the dog and drone team along particularly threatened beaches.
47 sea turtles rescued in distress and 6 documented poaching incidents.
To better understand high-risk areas, the field teams carried out meticulous work, documenting and cleaning up more than 1,000 carcass remains across the island. This background work now allows for precise targeting of patrols where the turtles need them most.
Nesting beaches are subject to regular monitoring.
In 2025, 9,565 nests were documented.
An estimated 450,000+ hatchlings
This photo shows egg-laying by a turtle that came ashore on the beaches of Boa Vista that year.
An estimated 450,000+ hatchlings
This photo shows egg-laying by a turtle that came ashore on the beaches of Boa Vista that year.
Education: Kelo, the star of the schools
3 school missions carried out with detection dog Kelo
Protection doesn't stop at the beaches; it begins in the classroom. Kelo the dog accompanies the teams during school visits to inspire and educate children. By meeting this four-legged "superhero," the youth of Boa Vista learn to see turtles not as a food resource, but as a national treasure to be protected.
The Vilebrequin Foundation chose to support this project to address this geographical and biological emergency. This approach goes beyond simple monitoring; it reinvents protection and educates future generations.
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