Sea Turtles

Save sea turtles from the brink of extinction

Conservation Action Fund

Your gift will allow us to take swift conservation action when and where it is needed most.

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Sea Turtles help maintain the health of the world’s oceans

For more than 100 million years, sea turtles have played a critical role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine habitats. They ensure productive coral reefs and transfer vital nutrients from the ocean to coastal dunes.

Throughout the last two centuries, harmful human activities have caused major disturbances in the ocean that have completely wiped sea turtles from some parts of the globe and pushed them to the brink of extinction.

Save habitat for sea turtles

For more than 30 years, we have demonstrated that safeguarding critical habitat is the most effective way to protect species, including sea turtles. We work with local partners to develop projects aimed at securing vital habitat.

See Urgent Projects See Urgent Projects

Species at Risk: Soupfin Shark (CR), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (CR), Puffadder Shyshark (EN), Duckbill Eagle Ray (CR), Shortfin Devilray (EN), Spearnose Skate (EN)

South Africa

Increase South Africa’s marine protection for threatened Sharks and Rays

Status

Funded

Species at Risk: 8 Species

Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire’s First Marine Protected Area

Status

Protected

2023

Species at Risk: 6 species

Costa Rica

Secure Globally Important Shark Corridor in Costa Rica

Status

Funded

Species at Risk: 6 species

Republic of the Congo

Save Endangered Sea Life From Overfishing in the Congo

Status

Protected

Baby Olive Ridley Sea Turtles — 2 of 3

Baby Olive Ridley Turtles, by Guillermo Ossa

The Critically Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle — 3 of 3

Hawksbill Turtle, by Stockphoto Graf

Sea Turtles are fighting for survival

Rampant poaching and over-exploitation are the main threats to these ancient reptiles, and they are also frequent victims of bycatch. The increasingly unpredictable global climate also has a negative effect on the species, changing sand temperatures their hatchlings rely on.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified all seven species ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

Rainforest Trust safeguards critical beach and sea habitat for threatened sea turtles in marine protected areas in Mozambique, Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire and Costa Rica.