Post by : Saif Rahman

In Angola's serene Hojiua village, a remarkable change is unfolding. Once turtle hunters, local residents are now dedicated to preserving these endangered creatures. Among them is Joaquim Avelino Fragoso, a 45-year-old father of seven, who previously hunted turtles for their meat. His days are now filled with the mission of safeguarding the creatures along the Longa estuary.

Fragoso expresses a newfound joy in witnessing turtles arrive on the shore to lay eggs and then return to the sea. This transformation emerged from the Kitabanga Project, a vital initiative designed to educate local communities in protecting sea turtles along Angola's expansive 1,600 km coastline.

Over 70 locals have joined this vital effort, contributing to the protection of approximately 25,000 turtle nests, which significantly aids struggling species.

All five eastern Atlantic sea turtle species, from the olive ridley to the massive leatherback, inhabit Angolan waters, with many classified as vulnerable or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Longa beaches, with their soft caramel sand, serve as critical nesting spots.

Backed by private entities, the Kissama Foundation collaborates with Universidade Agostinho Neto, Angola's oldest university, to not only preserve turtle populations but also empower communities with vital skills and new opportunities.

Poverty had long driven hunting in these communities, where turtle meat was a key income source. However, conservationists like Debora Carvalho, regional coordinator of the Kitabanga Project, emphasize that effective conservation goes beyond mere advocacy; it needs to deliver tangible economic benefits through education and training.

Initially, villagers often express indifference towards conservation. Yet, Carvalho’s team illustrates how protecting wildlife can create jobs, support tourism, and enhance their environment, revealing a new promising pathway.

Fragoso exemplifies this evolution, recognizing that harming turtles threatens future generations. “We have to conserve them so that there will be more turtles tomorrow,” he proudly states.

The success story from Hojiua inspires conservationists nationwide, demonstrating that a community once focused on hunting can become guardians of ancient marine species. With the right assistance, it becomes clear that both vulnerable wildlife and their protectors can thrive.

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