Volunteering at a local turtle conservation center in Indonesia

For more than 100 million years sea turtles have covered vast distances across the world’s oceans, filling a vital role in the balance of marine habitats. Seven different species of sea turtles grace our ocean waters, from the shallow seagrass beds of the Indian Ocean, to the colorful reefs of the Coral Triangle, and even the sandy beaches of the Eastern Pacific. Human activities have tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners. Nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as Endangered. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental capture in fishing gear. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites. It alters sand temperatures, which then affects the sex of hatchlings.

Learning about the center’s conservation efforts

I’m so grateful to have found the Turtle Conservation and Education Center while in Indonesia. I spent some time at the center working with this magical creature and learning about the country’s conservation efforts toward marine life. The center is developed as part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate illegal turtle trading on the island. It harnesses potential education, tourism, conservation, and research.

The center also directly protects turtles by hosting injured animals, collecting nests from tourist beaches and buying eggs from locals (preventing them from being consumed). The eggs are bred at the center and the hatchlings are raised for about one month and then released into their natural habitat. Out of the seven sea turtle species, three are kept and raised at the center.

Ecotourism has gained popularity within the last few years. It’s about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. But even before the term was coined, mindful travelers have been giving their time, donating money, preserving natural resources, connecting with locals, and learning about the culture. I’m a huge advocate for ecotourism and I’ve made it a priority to travel with a purpose whenever I travel.