All species of sea turtles are threatened with extinction. The situation is most alarming in the Indian Ocean, where in many places sea turtles have already disappeared completely.
The SAVE TURTLE ORGANISATION (registered as Chráníme mořské želvy) is the Czech (EU) nonprofit organization founded in 2017. It works hand in hand with local organizations to safeguard nesting beaches from poachers at six sites in Indonesia and three sites in southern Sri Lanka.
Five out of the world’s seven sea turtle species lay their eggs in these areas. Conservationists relocate the eggs to safety and, once hatched, release the baby turtles directly into the ocean. Since 2014, almost 5 million hatchlings have been released — and the number continues to grow every single day.
We work closely with the governments of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, universities, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.
Our trained rangers work daily on key nesting beaches in Indonesia and Sri Lanka:
We protect five species of sea turtles — green, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive ridley,
and leatherback — on their nesting beaches. Although sea turtles are protected by both
international and local laws, poachers still attempt to steal eggs or even kill nesting
females for their meat. That’s why guarding beaches and relocating eggs to safe
hatcheries is essential.
In the safety of protected beaches, eggs can incubate for about two months until
hatchlings emerge. Clean beaches are equally important: driftwood and enormous amounts
of waste can block females from nesting and hatchlings from reaching the ocean.
How and where direct protection works:
A female turtle comes ashore under the cover of night to lay her eggs.
Our conservationists locate the clutch in time and move it to a protected hatchery.
After hatching, baby turtles are released immediately into the sea.
Volunteers often join our rangers to help with beach clean-ups.
In many places, well-meaning efforts still rely on outdated and harmful methods — like keeping sea turtles in small pools. These practices cause stress, injuries, and premature death.
We work with communities in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Ecuador to offer practical, respectful alternatives:
The effective sea turtle protection is not happening in pools
We provide guidance and training in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and beyond.
Currently, our biggest challenge is working with the Ministry of Environment in
Sri Lanka to improve conservation practices in rescue centers.
At the same time, we train local people to protect turtles more effectively —
for example, we organized several workshops for the coastal guard in Indonesia
and Sri Lanka. Sharing knowledge and building local capacity is key to long-term
turtle protection.
Releasing chicks - a shocking difference
We work with hotels, resorts, and local organizations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia
to connect tourism with real turtle conservation. Together with government
authorities and community partners, we provide training, consultations, and
workshops to improve practices in turtle rescue centers and on nesting beaches.
Unfortunately, many centers still keep turtles in small pools, buy eggs from
fishermen, or release hatchlings under harmful conditions. Raising awareness among
tourists is crucial — only support programs that genuinely help sea turtles.
In 2023, we also consulted in Ecuador and the Galápagos, working with Charles Darwin Station, WWF, and local NGOs. Together we:
We also addressed local threats: bycatch in fishing nets and predation of eggs
and hatchlings by dogs. Education and cooperation with communities are key to
long-term solutions.
We believe change starts with understanding. Our education programs in Czechia and Indonesia empower young people to:
Children are our future, and as well as the planet’s
We want local communities to understand why sea turtles are essential for healthy oceans:
But our education goes beyond turtles and the ocean. We also teach English, waste reduction, and how to handle materials sustainably. Children learn swimming skills too — helping them feel safe in the water and develop a stronger connection with the sea.
Changing the mindset of adults can be challenging — but the future belongs to children. That is why we put strong emphasis on education.
We believe that education is the key to a sustainable future. We work with children and students in:
From kindergartens to high schools, we bring the beauty of the ocean into
classrooms, showing why marine life matters and how everyone can help protect it.
The teaching tools we developed are now being used worldwide.
We’ve even created printable coloring books
and memory games in English, Indonesian,
Spanish, and Sinhala — free to download and
use in schools or at home.
In areas where turtles are hunted for their shells, we offer real alternatives. Through workshops and training, locals learn to create sustainable products using coconut shells, wood, or other eco-friendly materials — supporting livelihoods without harming nature.
Protecting turtles by creating opportunities for people
We support local craft workshops. By creating opportunities, we help people see that protecting turtles can benefit both nature and their own communities.
