Indigenous Siekopai women in the Ecuadorian Amazon are implementing a conservation project to aid the recovery of charapa turtles (Podocnemis unifilis), a vulnerable species. These women, calling themselves the “turtle women,” combine traditional knowledge with modern tools like the Epicollect5 app to locate and protect turtle nests.
The charapa turtle populations are declining due to threats including hunting, egg harvesting, pollution from garbage and oil, increased boat traffic, and the impacts of climate change on water levels and nesting sites. The “turtle women” patrol riverbanks, document nests, and carefully collect eggs, a skill passed down through generations, to help ensure their survival.
Source: Mongabay