What is the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative doing to protect sea turtles in Lagos, Nigeria?

The Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative is rescuing endangered sea turtles from fishermen and releasing them back into the ocean, as well as incentivizing fishermen to alert the group when they find turtles or nests.

How are sea turtle populations faring in the waters around Lagos, Nigeria?

Sea turtle populations in the waters around Lagos have been facing an alarming decline, with no clear figures on the remaining population. Conservationists like Chinedu Mogbo of Greenfingers are working to address this critical threat.

What challenges does Nigeria face in protecting its endangered wildlife?

Nigeria is home to an abundance of wildlife, but also faces a major threat from illegal trafficking and a lack of awareness about the importance of conservation. The country has 23 "critically endangered species" according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Home / Environment / Conservationists Celebrate Successful Rehabilitation of Threatened Turtles

Conservationists Celebrate Successful Rehabilitation of Threatened Turtles

24 Oct

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Summary

Dozens of endangered sea turtles rescued and released in Lagos, Nigeria
Fishermen now alert conservationists when they find turtles or nests
Lack of awareness about wildlife conservation is a major challenge

Conservationists Celebrate Successful Rehabilitation of Threatened Turtles

On October 18, 2025, conservationists and students in Lagos, Nigeria, celebrated as three endangered sea turtles were released back into the ocean. These turtles were the latest in dozens of sea turtles saved by the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative in recent years.

The sea turtles, which play a critical role in the marine ecosystem, have been facing an alarming decline in the waters around Lagos, a coastal city of over 20 million people. Chinedu Mogbo, the founder of Greenfingers, explains that for local fishermen, the turtles are simply seen as food, with a lack of awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.

To combat this, Mogbo's team has been working to incentivize fishermen to alert them when they find turtles or turtle nests. The fishermen are rewarded with fishing gear, which has helped increase the number of sea turtles being rescued and released back into the ocean. However, Mogbo notes that they have sometimes found the same turtles captured again after just six months, highlighting the ongoing challenge of protecting these endangered species.