The islands of Cabo Verde constitute the world’s second most important nesting site for the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), one of seven marine turtle species found worldwide. This incredible species is a critical link in marine ecosystems, helping to maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reef systems that provide food and shelter for a vast array of other marine life. Unfortunately, human exploitation of this species has brought them to the brink of extinction. The illegal hunt and trade of turtle meat along with the quick tourist and urban development are the main threats to the species in Sal Island.  

For the last 10 years, both international volunteers and members of the local community have worked tirelessly to ensure the protection of the female turtle – with beach patrols, community engagement activities. We have also been working closely with the government to improve regulations. While the number of turtles killed has drastically reduced, illegal poaching and trafficking persist. 

2021 was a record season in Sal Island: we registered over 53.000 nests and we relocated 3.300 of these nests to our hatcheries, from where we released more than 142.000 baby turtles! We were lucky to welcome on our team 42 volunteers from 13 different countries, which were greatly missed during the pandemic when the borders of Cabo Verde were closed. Our international volunteers play a key role in our team, not only do they bring critical manpower for the patrols, but also important energy, enthusiasm, and multiculturalism, essential elements for supporting motivation and refreshing team energy throughout the season. 

2021 was also a difficult year for everyone around the world, with many having to change their routine and even cancelling their plans to adjust to the new conditions. It was a year where we learned how much we depend on a healthy planet to ensure our health in the future. Volunteering with conservation projects is just one way to support nature and help it thrive. When you volunteer with us, you can be certain of your contribution to protecting critical ecosystems and the important wildlife species that are a part of them What better way to move forward from a challenging year than to reconnect with nature and join our project as a volunteer?

Our mission continues in 2022 – hopefully with you as a part of our team! We aim to further empower the community to take action against the slaughter of nesting females, through direct beach protection, hatcheries management as well community engagement. As a critical part of our team, you will have the opportunity to directly contribute to the conservation of this endangered species and ultimately help build a more sustainable Cabo Verde.

 The usual nesting season is from June until October with hatchlings being born from mid-August until late December. The project is based in Santa Maria, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and water sports. This volunteering opportunity will not only provide you with good experience in turtle conservation techniques but also allow you to make a real difference in the survival of marine turtles. Your participation will allow for opportunities to be directly responsible for saving numerous nesting females and to experience a high level of satisfaction from being able to rapidly affect the declining situation of sea turtles in Cabo Verde.

If you are looking for your first experience working in conservation, are taking a career break, or just wish to spend your holidays doing something meaningful, this is the opportunity for you! We only take a limited number of volunteers each season and are looking for people who want to do something really worthwhile during their free time and who are prepared for some challenging, but very fulfilling work. Volunteers are a critical part of our turtle protection team with their enthusiasm and energy helping us to save many turtles.

Volunteers are based in a field camp (living in a shared tent with other volunteers), with rest periods in apartments in Santa Maria. Volunteers work six days each week and will have 1 day/night off to explore the island, enjoy diving, surfing, and other water sports, or just lay on the beach and relax! 

Living under these conditions can be challenging, extremely tiring, and stressful, and will include work both at night and during the day. A good level of fitness and physical and mental energy is required as patrols are at night time and long (possibly all night), conducted on foot, and maybe as long as 15km. Shift patterns vary but you will have 1 day of rest per week. 

Requirements:

• Desire to participate in conservation;
• At least 18 years old;
• Understand written and spoken English;
• Good level of physical fitness;
• High level of energy and flexibility;
• Able to cope with physically challenging conditions (camping, long walks, working late nights, hot weather, insects);
• Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities.

Volunteer Contribution:

Volunteer contributions cover accommodation, utilities such as water and electricity, and meals during your working period. Meals are not provided on rest days. Please note that water and basic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided in the camp. Volunteer contributions also provide critical funds needed to support the basic but essential needs of the project, allowing us to patrol the beaches more effectively, and ultimately protect more turtles.

• One week: 275€
• Two weeks: 340€
• Three weeks: 400€
• 50€ for each additional week 

At your arrival, you will be required to pay a €100 refundable deposit against loss or damage of project equipment and you should bring sufficient funds for any other activities that you would like to do. Once a volunteering period has been agreed upon, you will be asked to pay via bank transfer 100€ of your fees in advance. This payment will ensure that your place is booked as we have limited spaces and the demand is big. The payment will not be refunded if you cancel your volunteering – unless the cancellation is due to travel bans and/or flight restrictions, as a result of the pandemic (see the Updates on COVID-19 document for more information on the conditions of the programmes). The remaining amount of the fees should be paid upon arrival. If once you arrive at the project you decide to leave before the agreed date, your total contribution will not be refunded (this does not apply for the refundable security deposit, which will be refunded).

Benefits: 

Volunteers will be provided with accommodation during their stay – 6 nights per week in camp, with a rest night off in Santa Maria. Meals will be provided to volunteers during their time in camp. In addition to meals and accommodation, spending time with the project will give you an incredible opportunity to work closely with marine turtles and directly contribute to their conservation. You will gain valuable fieldwork experience, and be exposed to a wide range of cultures and backgrounds during your time with us.

Timing:

We strongly recommend a stay of at least 3 weeks, but the minimum stay is of 1 week. Some airlines only fly to Sal Island on specific days of the week, depending on where they fly from. Please, confirm the best routes to Sal Island with our team before purchasing your flights, we will be happy to assist you. The period when volunteers are welcome runs from the 24th of June until the 20th of October. Volunteers can apply at any point throughout the season.

For more information, please feel free to contact us at volunteerinsal@gmail.com

You can check our FAQs website at www.projectbiodiversity.org/faqs