Our Team
MEET OUR TEAM ACROSS THE OCEAN
Our team members and volunteers are active at six sites in Indonesia and three in southern Sri Lanka.
EXPLORE OUR TEAMS BY REGION
Indonesia
Tompotika (Eastern Sulawesi)
In Tompotika, we collaborate with Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (ALTO) led by Marcy Summers. While their main mission is to protect the critically endangered Maleo bird, they also safeguard sea turtle nesting beaches and involve hundreds of local villagers.
MARCY SUMMERS AND HER TEAM
Marcy has dedicated the last 17 years of her life to protecting nature in Tompotika, Sulawesi. Under her leadership, ALTO has saved more than 1,000 sea turtle nests from poachers and protects the critically endangered Maleo bird.
She involves over 200 local villagers from nearby communities, inspiring them to care for forests, oceans, and wildlife.
Polewali Mandar (Western Sulawesi)
Local conservation is led by Laut Biru Indonesia, founded in 2017. The team works to protect sea turtles, educate local communities, and promote sustainable alternatives to harmful practices.
PUTRA ARDIANSYAH
Founder of Laut Biru Indonesia
Putra has been passionate about marine conservation for many years. In 2017, he founded Laut Biru to protect sea turtles and promote sustainability. For him, turtles are a key to maintaining healthy coral reefs and seagrass beds, ensuring biodiversity for future generations.
TONGLO
Conservationist
With a lifelong love of nature, Tonglo is happy to work with Laut Biru. A former tour guide, he now dedicates his time to turtle protection. He especially values that Laut Biru promotes natural conservation without keeping healthy turtles in captivity.
AGUS SALIM
Fisherman & Conservation Supporter
Agus is a local fisherman who became involved after learning how vital turtles are for the balance of the sea and the availability of fish. Today, he regularly helps the team in protecting nests and educating his community.
ARI SANDI
Community Volunteer turned Conservationist
Ari first joined as a volunteer, helping with beach cleanups and mangrove planting. His dedication and determination to protect the environment soon made him a key part of the Laut Biru team.
Western Papua (Indonesia)
In Papua, we work with UNIPA University and Yayasan Sealam Karya Lestari. The main focus is leatherback turtles, aiming to improve their low hatching success rates through research and community methods.
FITRY PAKIDING & DEASY LONTOH WITH TEAM
Researchers
Fitry and Deasy are researchers at UNIPA University and co-founders of Yayasan Sealam Karya Lestari. Through their program Science for Conservation, they combine research and community action. In 2023, more than 4,000 sea turtles nested in the area, including 1,889 leatherbacks.
The team, made up of university students and local residents, works tirelessly to monitor nests, relocate eggs when needed, and protect beaches from predators and poachers. They also test different natural methods of nest protection – shading with ferns, trees, or coconut-fiber nets – to improve hatching success.
Their dedication shows how science and community cooperation can go hand in hand to save one of the ocean's most ancient and endangered species.
Lembata Island (Eastern Indonesia)
On Lembata Island, sea turtle conservation is led by the local group Sahabat Penyu Loang.Since 2016, the team has expanded their efforts from a single village to five nesting beaches across different communities. What makes their work unique is that all members are local residents who protect turtles in their own villages – after their daily jobs, they patrol beaches, move eggs to safety, and release hatchlings at night.
POLYCARPUS BALA RONING
Founder of Sahabat Penyu Loang
Poly founded the group in 2016 after realizing the urgent need to protect turtles on his home island. With a background in healthcare and community leadership, he coordinates the project and connects it with local authorities and NGOs. He is the visionary mind of the program.
DENSIANUS ADO NUNANG
Leader of the Turtle Patrol
Once a fisherman who hunted turtles, Ado transformed into one of their strongest protectors. As head of the patrol team, he inspires the community with his energy, humor, and dedication. His wife Regina supports education, teaching local children about turtles and the ocean.
YUFEN (Vincensius Swetir Lamak)
Recycling Innovator
A farmer by profession, Yufen is passionate about recycling. He turns plastic waste into useful items and is one of the first on Lembata to create sustainable alternatives from discarded materials.
WILHELMUS
Nest Protector
In his 60s, Wilhelmus once hunted turtles for meat. Today, he works to protect their nests, relocating eggs from beaches threatened by dogs and poachers. His personal journey from hunter to guardian is a true story of change.
KORNELIS OPE DUAN
Treasurer & Patrol Member
Kornelis oversees the group's finances while also joining patrols. During the day, he works as a tofu maker and local government clerk. His wife teaches weaving, keeping traditional skills alive in the village.
Denawan Island (Southern Borneo)
On Denawan Island, we cooperate with PAMALI Indonesia. Once a hotspot for egg poaching, today it is a stronghold of conservation thanks to dedicated locals.
HASANUDDIN YATOTH
Conservationist
Born and raised on Pulau Sembilan, Hasan once collected turtle eggs for sale. After conservation efforts began in 2016, he transformed from egg collector to protector. Since 2018, he has worked as a dedicated conservationist, guarding nests and ensuring hatchlings reach the sea.
IRWANDYE IBNU YUSUF
Field Teacher & Educator
Irwandi studied biology and education at Lambung Mangkurat University. Passionate about nature, he created the book “Turtles – Inhabitants of Pulau Sembilan” and now teaches students of all ages about turtle conservation. He leads school programs across the archipelago and inspires children to become future protectors of the sea.
Buzzdhar Palakang
Ranger Coordinator
From East to South Borneo, Busdar has dedicated his life to sea turtles. He now manages the most important nesting site in the south, where up to 10 Green Sea Turtles nest daily. He protects both Green and Critically Endangered Hawksbill turtles. His passion for conservation is matched only by his skill behind the camera, documenting the miracle of hatchlings for our supporters.
Berau (Eastern Borneo)
From 2017 to 2022 we led turtle conservation on Bilang-bilangan and Mataha islands. Today we focus on education and alternative livelihoods for locals.
RAHMAT
Teacher & Volunteer Coordinator
An enthusiastic English teacher from Maratua Island, Rahmat helps our volunteers integrate into local schools. He translates lessons, supports environmental education, and coordinates volunteer activities. Curious and thoughtful, he studies scientific articles about nature and enjoys cooking, gardening, and ping-pong. His main passion, however, is conservation.
SABLON
Craftsman & Community Educator
Originally a craftsman making tortoiseshell products, Sablon joined one of our workshops in 2014. After learning about the harm caused by the turtle shell trade, he shifted completely to sustainable materials such as coconut, wood, and seashells. Despite losing a leg in a motorbike accident, he continues to provide for his family through handicrafts and teaches others – including students – how to create eco-friendly products. He now also leads workshops across Indonesia, spreading alternatives to the illegal turtle trade.
Sri Lanka
Dikwella (Southern Sri Lanka)
Near the town of Dikwella, conservationist Gayan protects beaches and relocates turtle eggs to safety. Since 2023, we support his work and helped him build a protected beach section.
GAYAN SAMPATH
Conservationist
For more than 10 years, Gayan has been protecting turtles on two beaches near Dikwella — entirely on his own initiative. His journey began when a friend gave him 25 turtle eggs for food, but instead of eating them, he reburied them in the sand. When the hatchlings emerged, he was inspired to dedicate himself to turtle conservation.
Since then, he has relocated over 200,000 turtle eggs to safety. Today, Gayan also guides tourists, making sure they respect turtles in the bay. With our support, he has been connected to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and received funding to build a protected beach area.
Matara (Southern Sri Lanka)
In Matara, Mahesh independently protects nests and releases hatchlings. With training and support, he improved his conservation methods and now regularly safeguards local beaches.
CHAMIKA MAHESH
Conservationist
A former fisherman from Matara, Mahesh began protecting turtle eggs after witnessing dogs eating freshly laid clutches on the beach. At first shy and unsure, he built a small protected nesting area and has since relocated and released countless hatchlings. When we met him during field monitoring, he was working alone without training or support.
Today, with our guidance, Mahesh applies proper conservation practices such as shading nesting areas and using red lights at night. Since 2023, we have been supporting him regularly, ensuring his efforts to protect turtles on the beaches near Matara continue to grow stronger.
Godauda (Southern Sri Lanka)
At the end of 2025, two new rangers joined our team and now patrol the beach in Godauda.
SANDUN AND MALITHA
Conservationists
Sandun and Malitha are friends from the same village, Godauda in southern Sri Lanka, not far from the town of Dickwella. Malitha works as a chef in a restaurant, while Sandun is a surf instructor.
Malitha was the first to become interested in sea turtle conservation after talking with a colleague about the large number of turtles in Godauda. This sparked a deeper passion for protecting them, and he soon shared his enthusiasm with Sandun. Together, they met Gayan, who told them more about turtle conservation and began supporting their efforts.
In addition to Gayan, the boys were also recommended to us by Channa Surraweera from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, so we are happy to support turtle protection in Godauda.
Czech Republic
A group of passionate people who care deeply about sea turtles and nature in general. We keep the program running and help it grow. Everyone in the team is driven by passion, and we welcome anyone who wants to join and lend a hand.
MGR. HANA VAŠINA SVOBODOVÁ
The SAVE TURTLE ORGANISATION (registered as Chráníme mořské želvy)
Marine biologist, active in sea turtle conservation since 2004. Hana has worked in Mexico, India, and Indonesia, studied Indonesian language in Padang, and completed her degree in Ecology at Charles University in Prague.
She has been leading direct protection projects in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, mentoring local conservationists, improving rescue centers, and raising awareness through lectures and media.
Watch Czechs protect sea turtles in Borneo here
EVA BÍLKOVÁ
Volunteer Coordinator
An entomologist, science communicator, and avid traveler. In 2023, she spent over two months in Indonesia through the University of Ostrava's OU AID program, becoming an integral part of the conservation community on Lembata. After witnessing the harsh reality of "tourist" rescue centers in Bali, she returned to Asia in 2024 to support projects in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. She now leads communication with the public, volunteers, and local conservationists across Asia.
JITKA KUBALOVÁ
Event & Finance Coordinator
Accountant by profession, joined in 2022. She processes donations, organizes Czech events, and raises awareness. Fascinated by nature and dreaming of joining fieldwork as a volunteer.
PEPÍK
Technical Support
Botanist and conservationist, volunteered in Berau in 2016. Helps with website, maps, and technical tasks. Passionate about both plants and endangered animals.
OLGA BÝMOVÁ
Translator & Grant Writer
She has been helping since her volunteering in Berau in 2019. Since then, she has supported the project with English–Czech translations, fundraising through grants, and by promoting education to inspire local communities.
SAŠA ZDEŇKOVÁ & TOMÁŠ KOLMAN
Awareness & Events
Volunteered in Borneo and Lembata. Now active mainly in Czech Republic, they give talks, manage communication, and look for grants. Passionate about spreading awareness.
IVO PARDUS
Education & Events
PhD student in forest ecology. Volunteered in Indonesia, teaching in local schools and supporting conservation education. Gained further experience in Greece (Archelon). Today, he helps with events and lectures in the Czech Republic.
EVA ŠLOSARČÍKOVÁ
Lecturer & Outreach
Herpetology enthusiast, traveler, and long-time supporter of animal and humanitarian projects. Gives lectures about sea turtles and helps at events.
PETRA KLEMBAROVÁ
Research & Outreach
Biology student at Charles University. Joined in 2021. Volunteered in Sri Lanka, now working on a research paper for the government. Also active in youth education.
NATAŠA VELENSKÁ
Media & Awareness
Zoologist at Prague Zoo, long-time turtle expert, and chair of the Turtle Breeders' Club. Helps spread awareness about sea turtle conservation in the Czech Republic.
