Indigenous Women Rescue River Turtles in Ecuador's Amazon

In Ecuador's Amazon, seven Siekopai women, calling themselves the 'Turtle Women,' are leading a crucial conservation effort for vulnerable river turtles. They combine ancestral ecological knowledge with modern technology to patrol the Aguarico River, diligently searching for charapa turtle nests. Their mission involves carefully collecting eggs threatened by flooding, predators, and human activities.

During the 2025-26 nesting season, this dedicated group successfully gathered 235 eggs. Through meticulous care, they hatched 208 young turtles in protected conditions. These hatchlings were then released into the Aguarico River in March and April 2026, marking a significant achievement for the community-led initiative.

The 'Turtle Women' employ digital tools, like the Epicollect5 app, to record nest data, merging traditional wisdom with systematic conservation practices. This approach not only aids the yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle but also upholds the Siekopai people's deep cultural and spiritual relationship with the river and its wildlife.

This conservation work is vital as the charapa turtle is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, facing high extinction risks. Threats include hunting, egg collection, pollution, and habitat degradation along the Aguarico River. The project's intervention offers young turtles a protected start, reducing immediate dangers.

Beyond species protection, the initiative strengthens Siekopai cultural identity, honoring their ancestral guardian, Koouwajëo, and passing vital knowledge to younger generations. The project exemplifies how Indigenous communities can effectively lead conservation by integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary tools.