• The island of Sal recorded almost 40,000 births, while there were more than 76,000 on Boa Vista

• The loggerhead sea turtle, or Caretta Caretta, is classified as internationally vulnerable, at high risk of becoming an endangered species

This season, the island of Boa Vista became home to 60% of the total number of turtle hatchlings in Cape Verde, with 32,868 nests. Of this total, 6,091 have remained under the care of Bios.CV within the Reserva Natural das Tartarugas. The hatchery had a high success rate, with 38,480 hatchlings being released into the sea. Bios.CV also monitored 2,595 of these turtles and rescued 13 from death. In addition, the organisation carried out experiments in the nests to find solutions to the serious threat of global warming.

Projeto Biodiversidade recorded a total of 16,033 nests on the island of Sal. Of these, 1,715were distributed among the organisation's 5 hatcheries, which released 76,231 hatchlings into the sea. The largest, located on the beach in front of RIU’s hotels on the island, was home to more than half of these nests. What’s more, the organisation patrolled 24.2 km of the island’s coastline and monitored 4,266 turtles. On the island of Sal, all nests in built-up areas are protected in hatcheries, which play a key role in minimising the impact of tourism and light pollution.

Another important achievement this season was the reduction in turtle hunting, falling from 440catches in 2021 to 135 in 2022. To better protect the nests, the hatcheries are monitored and supervised by Bios.CV and Projeto Biodiversidade volunteers. Thanks to the hotel chain's support, part of the surveillance team, which is made up of some twenty people, have a camp on the beach. In this way, the company helps protect the loggerhead sea turtle, which is classified as vulnerable in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. This means that it is at high risk of becoming an endangered species. RIU's contribution to this project is part of its objective to increase social investment in all destinations where it operates, striking a balance between its business presence and involvement in local development.

About Projeto Biodiversidade

Projeto Biodiversidade is a non-profit association in Cape Verde that is committed to protecting wildlife through community-driven environmental conservation plans on the island of Sal. It focuses on the study and conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta Caretta).

About Bios Cabo Verde:

Bios Cabo Verde is an association that works to protect the environment on the island of Boa Vista, focusing on the study and conservation of turtles, seabirds and cetaceans.