A ranger measuring a turtle’s shell and collecting data at the Canto camp. Image courtesy of The Turtle Foundation.
Today’s good news story comes from Mongabay.com and was sent to me by my correspondent Noelle Granger. Thank you, Noelle.
Former poachers guard Cabo Verde’s endangered sea turtles
by
Former sea turtle hunters in Cabo Verde, off the coast of West Africa, have shifted to loggerhead turtle conservation work along the archipelago nation’s main nesting beaches. The change was propelled by 2018 legislation that criminalized killing threatened turtle species, Sonam Lama Hyolmo reported for Mongabay.
Rangers, around a dozen of whom used to poach or hunt turtles, now patrol key beaches where turtles lay their eggs, walking several kilometers each night during the nesting season, which runs from June to October. Turtle meat has historically been consumed in Cabo Verde and many other regions, creating a conflict between conservation needs and local customs. However, awareness campaigns and employment opportunities are helping to bridge that gap.
“I had turtle meat for personal consumption and never realized I could make a living out of conserving them,” Roni Nelson Batista Ramos, a ranger and camp coordinator at the Turtle Foundation, told Mongabay. “But now, I guard them against the poachers, and it’s motivating to see how these efforts have driven positive impacts for their conservation.”
Ramos and others monitor around 31 kilometers (19 miles) of coastline, patrolling the beaches on foot, and using drones and dogs for added assistance.
Roughly two-thirds of loggerhead turtle nesting activity in Cabo Verde happens on the eastern island of Boa Vista, which has seen a dramatic decline in illegal turtle hunting, according to the Turtle Foundation. In 2007, 1,253 female loggerheads were illegally caught on the island; by 2024, there were just 20. Over the same period, loggerhead turtle nests on Boa Vista increased more than sevenfold.
Cabo Verde’s loggerhead turtle population is the largest in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the third largest in the world, after Oman and southeast Florida.
Another four of the world’s seven sea turtle species roam the waters of the Cabo Verde archipelago: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
Bycatch in fishing is another significant threat to sea turtles in the region. In 2024, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) renewed a five-year allowance for 56 fishing vessels from Spain, Portugal, and France to fish in Cabo Verdean waters.
Read the full story here. Warning: some photos are disturbing
The good news in this story is that those who hunt turtles are now protecting them, benefiting both. Today’s John Ku talks about reversing trends. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.
Turning a New Leaf © 2026 by John W. Howell
Once there were hunters,
Who saw their game disappear . . .
They turned to help save.
Fiction Favorites 
Talk about turning the tables to more positive outcomes! Great get Boss.
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I agree, pilgrim. Good news indeed.
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What a heartwarming story, John. Thank you for sharing it. Your JohnKu captures the dynamic beautifully. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. Ex-poachers on the job are pretty effective, I’ll bet.
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Well done my man
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😊
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That`s a great change to the better, John! Thanks for sharing these great news. Enjoy a wonderful weekend! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Have a super weekend as well.
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Love the former felons becoming good members of society. Wonder if former felons would do as well here?
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They were poachers, but I get the political entendre
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No flies on you, John.
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Indeed.
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I can tell you that I had my first bowl of turtle soup about 40 years ago at a little place North of Detroit. Simply called The Turtle Soup Inn. Absolutely fabulous. But I’m all for conservation of turtles. They are very neat animals. Good work in Cabo.
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Yeah this slipped through the cracks. I’ve never had turtle soup so I will take your word for it. There now get out of the bedroom.
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Thanks, tell Jim too 👍
Did you ever hear of that place North of Detroit ?
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Thanks, tell Jim too 👍
Did you ever hear of that place North of Detroit ?
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No, I did not hear of it.
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An awesome story of protection and redemption.
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So true.
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John, thanks for sharing this wonderful story of commitment, and compassion. My heart is lighter for reading it. Turtles are special creatures that are easy to like and have an appeal for their safety and well-being.🐳
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Such a nice comment, Jim. Thank you. 😊
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From bad to good…hooray!
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Yup. Hooray is right.
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😀
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It’s funny… decades ago, my husband and I were at a wild game feast in Ontario with several other couples. One of the items on the menu was snapping turtle. I did not care for it. I am happy to know the turtles are being protected and how cool is it that they are being safe guarded by those who once saw them as dollar signs.
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I don’t even like the sound of eating a snapping turtle. Thanks for sharing, Annette.
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This is great to see, John. I like how these former poachers have switched careers 🙂
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I thought it was an unusual story for sure. Thanks, Barbara.
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Another wonderful good news story John… and the old saying ‘set a thief to catch a thief’ has worked in other conservation projects such as in Africa… It is clear the rangers are dedicated and proud in what they are achieving and that has to be the best feeling in the world. hugsx
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This was a genius thought by someone. To catch a thief indeed. Thanks, Sally
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Thanks for posting this, John. I thought it was a great story.
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I did, too. Thanks for sending it. 😀
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Thanks for this encouraging story, John. Poaching of turtles is a huge problem in Africa. South Africa has conservation programmes which include paying money to Mozambique to try and prevent people from killing the turtles for food.
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I’m glad things are being done to save the turtles. Thanks, Robbie.
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I like your good news stories. Thank you so much for sharing.
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My pleasure Kymber. Good to see you. 😀
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Thank you! Good to see you, too. 🌺
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😀
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How wonderful to have a change of face, so to speak, such as this! I am always torn when I hear of what poachers do to beautiful beasties like this.
Wonderful JohnKu, too.
Have a marvellous Friday, John!
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I wish there were a hunting season for poachers. That’s how I feel. Thanks, Dale. 😀
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I am with you on that, John!
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😊
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Reformed poachers – love they’re protecting the turtles now. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Teri. You as well.
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I think it’s great that they now see things differently and protect them.
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I do too. It is like rehabilitation.
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Every good story needs a plot twist.
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Yes, it does, and this is a good twist. Thanks, Pete
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It’s good that the sea turtle hunters changed what they’re doing, John, and so nice that you posted the good news.
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Fabulous news. Shows what education can do and compassion. When we visit Kauai we love the way they protect the monk seals and as soon as one comes up on the beach as well as the Honu turtles they put cones around them to keep people away.
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I haven’t been to Kauai since the 90s. Loved it there.
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Isn’t that wonderful, that the hunters become the conservators!
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It is l Liz. It’s like who better to catch poachers than a poacher.
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Exactly. Just like the hackers who go into cybersecurity.
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Good one.
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Thanks!
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😊
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A great turn around of what looked like a really sad story. It is great that the poachers are now protectors. It shows that people can change.
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Given a way to feed their families, they certainly can change.
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Yes I guess that is an important point
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It would be hard to love this story anymore. Love that the poachers are now the protectors. Thanks for another feel good story, John.
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Always a pleasure, Monika. I like these stories, too.
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That is a positive change in behavior! I can’t imagine ever hunting or harming a beautiful sea turtle. They are incredible to see and swim with. Thank you for sharing this encouraging story and a happy weekend to you. 🐢
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Thank you for the weekend wish. I hope yours is peaceful, Michele.
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Thank you! 😊
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The JohnKu says it all.
We don’t normally stop to see what harm we are doing, until it affects us. Then we try to make it better.
I’m happy to hear about this shift in attitude, and reality.
Turtle meat —YUK!
𝕆𝖃 🐢🐢 𝕆𝖃
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Sometimes we should try to prevent disasters, but you are right. It is usually response rather than prevention. 😊X
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Well, I suppose we don’t always answer the phone until it rings. 🐂 🐂
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Good analogy. 😀X
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Thanks! OX
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😊X
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Well, I guess if the money is better to guard them than kill them. Not exactly altruism, but I’m glad it’s working!
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Me, too.
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