Contact: Phone: +254 711585495 | Email: madrugadafoundation@gmail.com
the tiwi
turtle police
conservation
project
about us
We are enhancing protection and conservation of sea turtles and the livelihood of the local community. We have taken this approach because the wellbeing of sea turtles and their habitat is intricately knit together with livelihood of the local community in Tiwi. Additionally, we are collaborating with relevant government agencies; law enforcement agencies, research and educational institutions to collect, collate and analyze data and formulate more sustainable management approaches to sea turtles and their habitats.
 
why conserve turtles?
• They are endangered marine species
• They are at risk of poaching
• They are greatly affected by marine pollution such as plastics
• Lack of nesting sites due to commercialization of beaches
 
 
our activities
• Monitoring and protection of sea turtles, hatchlings and beaches
 
other activities
• Conducting daily beach clean ups
• Satellite transmitter tagging
• Drone surveys at the reef
• We have built capacity for sea turtle monitors/rangers as eco-tourist guides
• We have established sea turtle based tourism/entrepreneurial ventures for the local community
• We conduct educational programs on Sea Turtle Conservation
 
achievements
Since the start of the project in 2020 until November 2022, we have recorded a total of 211 nests along our 12-kilometer conservation site. We have also collected more than 2 tonnes of beach waste, which included single-use plastics, clothing materials, hard plastics, and flip-flops, among other non-biodegradable wastes. We were able to tag three Green Sea turtles with satellite transmitters in 2022, allowing us to track their migratory and foraging patterns. In 2022, we also conducted an in-water survey and photo ID for sea turtles to aid in the creation of a sea turtle face ID database. This year we had the first cohort of seven interns drawn from Kenyan institutions of higher learning, including Pwani University (5), Technical University of Mombasa (1) and Kenya Wildlife Service Research and Training Institution (1).
 
 
the different turtle species of the world
Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas)

• A mature green sea turtle weighs between 120-208 kgs.
• They have a smooth carapace with thin scutes that don’t overlap.
• They have a broad head with a serrated cutting edge at the beak.
• They are the most dominant on the Kenyan beaches.
• They mainly feed on sea grass, jellyfish and algae.
• They are characterized by a round head and colorized as greenish-black
Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)

• A mature hawksbill weighs between 50– 70 kgs.
• They have thick overlapping scutes.
• They have a narrow pointed long head.
• They have a bird-like beak
• Their habitats are usually near the coral reefs.
• They mainly feed on sponges, tunicates, and algae.
• They are yellowish-brown in color
Olive Ridley (Lepidocheleys olivacea)

• A mature olive ridley weighs between 45-50 kgs.
• They have a triangular shaped head with two pairs of prefrontal scales.
• They have a well developed beak that is parrot-like.
• They feed on varieties of invertebrates and algae.
• They have a triangular head with light cheeks.
• Their coloration is grayish-olive.
• They have a rounded carapace.
Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

• A mature loggerhead weighs between 130-138 kgs.
• They have a large broad head of up to 25cm wide.
• They have 2 claws on each limb
• Adults’ carapace is smooth and elongated.
• Their head is noticeable large and thick necked reddish brown.
• They feed on hard-shelled invertebrates.
Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)

• They weigh over 600 kgs
• Adults lack the horny scutes
• Vertebrae and ribs are not fused to the carapace
• Flippers lack claws.
• Beak is bicuspid, hooked and very sharp edge.
• Their habitats are usually at the open waters
 
fun facts about sea turtles
Turtles do not require scuba gears

Green turtles can hold their breath underwa-ter for up to five hours .They achieve this by reducing their heart rate to as little as one beat every nine minutes to preserve oxygen.

 No place compares to home

When it's time for female marine turtles to lay their own eggs, they return to the nest-ing area where they were born.		 Turtles do cry


Although they don't cry out of sadness, they appear to be sobbing because of glands that help to drain the extra salt from their eyes.		 Temperature dictates the sex of baby turtles

Sand temperature is extremely important in sex determination. Warmer nests leads to more females. Cooler ones leads to more males. Fluctuations result in a mix of male and female turtles.
 
volunteer

Tiwi Turtle Police

• Volunteer by helping baby sea turtles to reach the ocean safely being part one of the most beautiful and magical moments on the turtle season, come and be part to our dream saving turtles.
• Patrol beaches on evening and night walks to locate female turtles and their at-risk nests to relocate their eggs in a save place to protect them from poachers and predators.
• Monitor monkeys and their endangered population in their natural habitat and sav turtles at the same time. 2 emblematic animals one mission, protect our teasure our wildlife.
• Clean untended beaches for a better environment and a greener planet , be part of gthe comnservation in one of the countries most biodiversity on gthe planet.
• Experience the Kenyan way of life and its exotic fauna and flora, protecting the wildlife and living a unique experience surrounded by wildlife.

PRESS HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM...
 
downloads
 
Download Info Flyer as pdf. Download pictures as jpg. Download Info Volunteer as pdf.
 
Contact:
Phone: +254 711585495
Email: madrugadafoundation@gmail.com

Apasio Safari Ltd
P.O. Box 1346
00618 Ruaraka
Nairobi, Kenya
Other Projects
Elephants
Children

follow us