There is an absolutely magical video in this story. You won’t want to miss it. And please, please sign the petition at the bottom of the page.

Written by Marina Fastigi, Ph.D. Kido Foundation

In the beautiful Caribbean tri-island Nation of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, unfortunately it is still legal to hunt, kill and sell (for local consumption) endangered species such as Sea Turtles. 11 years ago, the government approved a ban of leatherback turtle hunting, of all nesting turtles, of juveniles under 25 pounds and of turtle eggs harvesting. Unfortunately, Hawksbill (critically endangered), Green and Loggerhead (both endangered) are still legally hunted for eight months every year and there is no effective enforcement of the present laws.

Teams of local guides and volunteers of Kido Foundation in Carriacou and Ocean Spirits in Grenada (both non-profit organizations) patrol the main nesting turtle beaches at night, discouraging the poaching of eggs and the killing of turtles, but the beaches outside of our monitoring range remain open killing fields for poachers of mothers and their eggs.

Children instinctively understand the need to protect animals.	We created this life sized replica of a leatherback turtle for our Turtle Awareness Days.	Education is essential to creating a future for the sea turtles.

More than 300 Rescued Already

Our Kido Foundation Rescue Team has rescued 314 mature sea turtles from the slaughter and released them back to the sea. These rescues were possible because we were able to purchase the turtles from fishers willing to sell. The alternative was to let them suffer for days, upside down under the sun and be slaughtered by decapitation or to be chopped to pieces while still alive. Caring visitors, volunteers and some locals often contributed to pay for the turtles’ freedom.

We rescued another 1,000 pound leatherback a few days ago (see video). Fishermen who catch leatherbacks know it is illegal, but claim that these are by-catch in their nets while targeting other legal species.

Please sign the petition below

The State of Grenada could help saving the last remaining turtles of the Caribbean by adopting serious anti-hunting laws and promoting economic advantages in sea turtle watching for tourists. We need your help. Please take just a few seconds to sign the petition below.

Brought to you by The Great Animal Rescue Chase

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