Turtle Foundation is a network of closely linked organizations for the protection of endangered sea turtles and their habitats. It currently consists of seven national bodies that are registered as non-profit, tax-exempt organizations under local law in their respective countries (Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, USA, Cabo Verde, Indonesia, UK).

Our vision is a future where sea turtles and their habitats are sustainably protected, healthy and safe from extinction and destruction.

Our mission is to participate in the protection of sea turtles in our own project areas by working with local communities to create a future where both people and sea turtles have a secure livelihood.

Our aim is to work with local communities to prevent the impending extinction of sea turtles, to protect and facilitate recovery of the nesting populations in the long term and ultimately to end cruel acts against the turtle.

Turtle Foundation works specifically to protect sea turtles worldwide. In our projects in Indonesia (since 2000) and the Republic of Cabo Verde (since 2008), we protect five of the seven species of sea turtles on their nesting beaches from poachers and other man-made threats:

- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Berau/East Borneo/Indonesia.

- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) through a nationwide education campaign in Indonesia to combat the illegal turtle shell trade and reduce demand for turtle shell products.

- Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys choriacea), Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and two other species on Selaut Besar/Sumatra/Indonesia

- Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys choriacea) on Sipora/Sumatra/Indonesia

- Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) on Boa Vista/Cabo Verde

Our conservation programs have drastically reduced the total number of turtles killed and eggs poached. Monitoring of the nesting beaches is done with the help of local rangers and international volunteers, but also with innovative monitoring methods such as the use of drones and conservation dogs.

Other tasks of our rangers include collecting data on the nesting behavior of the turtles in order to determine population characteristics as well as the regular cleaning of the beaches from plastic waste in all our projects. Other activities of the Turtle Foundation include awareness raising and environmental education events in schools. Through job creation and direct employment in conservation, the aim is to create alternative livelihoods that make the sale of turtle meat, their eggs and turtleshell unnecessary and benefit the local population.

The Turtle Foundation finances its projects through donations.

Please help us to protect the endangered sea turtles and their habitats. Every donation, large or small, supports us in our fight against poaching and helps us to realize further species protection measures.

Many thanks!