Home / Environment / Hunter to Guardian: Angola's Turtle Rescuer
Hunter to Guardian: Angola's Turtle Rescuer
27 Nov
Summary
- Former turtle hunter now protects nesting sea creatures.
- Around 70 villagers trained in conservation efforts.
- Project aims to conserve all five species of sea turtles in Angolan waters.
Joaquim Avelino Fragoso, once a hunter of sea turtles, now patrols Angola's Longa estuary as a protector. This significant shift highlights a conservation success story unfolding in Hojiua village, where lush mangroves and lagoons serve as vital nesting grounds. Fragoso, a father of seven, is part of a group of about 70 villagers trained in conservation efforts.
The Kitabanga Project, covering an estimated 25,000 turtle nests, emphasizes the urgency of protecting all five species of eastern Atlantic sea turtles found in Angolan waters. These species range from vulnerable to critically endangered, with Longa's beaches being crucial nesting sites for olive ridley and leatherback turtles.
Implemented by the Kissama Foundation and Universidade Agostinho Neto, the project funded by the private sector, tackles the root causes of hunting by addressing poverty and demonstrating the economic advantages of wildlife preservation. This approach encourages communities like Fragoso's to become stewards of their natural heritage.
