Tiwi Turtle Police

Sea turtles have been returning to the same beaches to lay their eggs for over 220 million years. In order to preserve this natural cycle, the proWIN pro nature Foundation has been supporting the Tiwi Turtle Police project in Kenya with an annual donation of 20,000 euros since 2019.

The Tiwi Turtle Police project was set up by the Maisha Madrugada Foundation and is located on the south coast of Kenya, around 17.5 kilometres south of Mombasa and 7.5 kilometres north of Diani Beach. The aim of the project is to protect sea turtles and improve the livelihoods of the local community. The project works closely with government agencies, research organisations and educational institutions to collect data and develop sustainable conservation measures for sea turtles and their habitats.

In 2023, the Tiwi Turtle Police conducted daily patrols, both at night and in the morning, totalling 730 patrols. During the night patrols, which last up to four hours, nests were monitored and turtles were protected from threats. In the morning, from 6 a.m., beach cleanings were carried out and collected data documented to record the condition of the nests and potential threats.

In addition, a total of 138 nests were recorded in 2023, in which over 15,000 eggs were laid. Despite challenges such as nest robber dogs, the Tiwi Turtle Police achieved an impressive hatching success rate of 83.94%. Measures such as nest relocation and the use of special protective boxes have improved egg protection.

The project attaches great importance to scientific research and environmental education. In 2023, research was carried out to optimise water quality and important data was collected on the causes of turtle deaths. Extensive educational programmes were also offered to local schools and international visitors to raise awareness of marine conservation.

The Tiwi Turtle Police project offers volunteers and interns the opportunity to actively participate in conservation activities. In 2023, the project welcomed two volunteers from Germany and a student from Belgium, who made valuable contributions to the research and daily activities.

By working with various environmental organisations and government agencies, the project has been able to organise major initiatives such as the International Coastal Clean-up and World Sea Turtle Day. These joint efforts help to raise awareness of sea turtle conservation and promote practical measures to preserve coastal ecosystems.

The Tiwi Turtle Police actively engages with the local community through education campaigns and workshops to promote understanding and support for sea turtle conservation. This community work is an essential part of the long-term conservation of these fascinating animals.

Thanks to the ongoing support of the proWIN pro nature Foundation, the Tiwi Turtle Police project is able to continue and expand its important conservation measures.

Sea turtles are endangered. This is why the proWIN pro nature Foundation has been supporting the Tiwi Turtle Police on the east coast of Kenya since 2019. The "turtle police" patrol a 12-kilometre stretch of beach called Tiwi Beach south of Mombasa every day to protect the endangered animals and clean the polluted beach.

Around the world, adult sea turtles are still being slaughtered in a bestial manner or their nests completely plundered. The Turtle Foundation has been active on Boa Vista since 2008. The biggest threat there is the poaching of nesting females for their meat. In 2007 alone, 1,200 turtles were killed on the beaches of the Cape Verdean island of Boa Vista. The Foundation has various protection programs, including the monitoring of nesting beaches by local rangers or international volunteers who start night patrols to deter poachers. Innovative monitoring methods such as the use of drones and conservation dogs are also used. The proWIN pro nature Foundation has supported the Turtle Foundation this year.

As part of the Tiwi Turtle project, data is being collected to help preserve the species:

The project thrives on its scientific support, because in addition to a love of animals, species conservation requires valid results above all. This is great and important work that the pro nature Foundation is happy to support!

Sea turtles are endangered. Many of them die in fishing nets and from diseases caused by environmental pollution. They are also hunted for their meat and their eggs are sold illegally at markets as a delicacy. This is why the "Tiwi Turtle Police" was founded. It ensures the survival of the animals. The local community should understand that the endangered animals need to be protected and that much more money can be earned by keeping them alive instead of killing them.