Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) (2024)

Since 2006, sea turtles in the Democratic Republic of Congo have faced severe threats, including the harvest of eggs and nesting females, as well as coastal erosion caused by climate change. To combat these issues, ICCN established a hatchery in 2012 and launched a beach monitoring program. By employing eco-guards from local communities, the program not only protects sea turtles but also fosters community involvement in conservation efforts.

With support from SWOT funds, ICCN will expand and strengthen these efforts by increasing the number of eco-guards monitoring nesting beaches and oversee the hatchery. Additionally, the project will gather precise geographic data on nesting sites to improve conservation planning. By sustaining these conservation efforts in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, we aim to enhance sea turtle protection, ensure safer nesting conditions, and build long-term conservation capacity in the region.