Buru, Indonesia – Conservation efforts led by WWF Indonesia and local communities in Buru Island, Maluku, have yielded remarkable results, with sea turtle poaching rates plummeting to below 5% since 2023.
According to Naufal, Marine Biodiversity Officer of WWF Indonesia, the conservation program has been focusing on four key nesting sites in Fena Leisela District, namely Wamlana, Waspait, Waekose, and Waenibe beaches. “Since 2017, we’ve been working closely with local communities to monitor turtle landings, species identification, egg counting, and hatchling success rates,” Naufal explained.
The team also relocates turtle eggs to safer locations when necessary, protecting them from threats such as tidal waves, predators, and poachers. This collaborative effort has led to a significant decline in egg poaching, from over 90% in 2017 to less than 5% in 2023.
Naufal attributes this success to the strong partnership between WWF, local governments, community leaders, and villagers. “Communities are capable of understanding the importance of conservation when approached in a way that benefits them directly,” he said.
The conservation efforts in Buru Island serve as a model for community-led conservation initiatives, demonstrating that collective action can lead to tangible positive outcomes for endangered species like sea turtles.
