Wildlife Volunteering in Cape Verde

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Cabo Verde is the world’s second-most-important nesting site for the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). This species plays a vital role in marine ecosystems by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, which support diverse marine life. However, years of illegal hunting and human pressure brought the species to the brink of extinction, and in 2007, it was predicted that the Cabo Verde population could disappear by 2015 without immediate action. As a volunteer, your main role is to patrol the beaches at night to deter hunters and ensure that turtles can nest safely. You will also help with essential fieldwork such as tagging and measuring turtles, relocating nests when necessary, monitoring incubation, and assisting with the safe release of hatchlings. Through this experience, you will learn key conservation techniques and directly contribute to the protection and recovery of this endangered species.

As a volunteer, you’ll take part in nightly beach patrols at Ribeira da Prata and Tarrafal beaches to monitor nesting activity and protect vulnerable turtle nests. You’ll assist local staff in collecting important data, help with hatchery operations, and, from time to time, support community outreach to raise awareness about turtle conservation. Because Loggerhead turtles nest at night, this project runs exclusively during nighttime hours. Volunteers camp on the beach to stay close to the nesting sites, so being well-prepared and equipped is essential for a comfortable experience. Program Highlights: Participate in nighttime beach patrols. Assist with monitoring nesting turtles and identifying nest sites. Help relocate nests to protected hatcheries. Contribute to local education and awareness efforts.