Weaving through a forest of mangroves along a path leading to the ocean, I tip-toe carefully through the sand. After dark, there is little light pollution on Sierra Leone’s remote, southerly Turtle Islands, allowing stars to dazzle clearly overhead.
Using the moon as my torchlight, I shuffle along the coastline, scanning for any movements along the shore.
Between November and April, five species of sea turtle come to nest here as they have done for hundreds of years. Travelling thousands of miles, their journey is far from easy but the difficulties don’t end once they arrive.
“Sea turtles have been nesting for thousands of years,” explains marine conservationist Eddie Aruna, my local Sierra Leonian guide.
But coastal erosion and sea level rises are having an impact on their nesting sites.
“Turtles always return to their native beaches, but if these no longer exist they will discharge their eggs into the sea,” he tells me.
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Other issues include poaching for meat and eggs.
Since 2012, Eddie has been working hard to protect the five species of turtles that nest here, focusing on community engagements and recruiting local monitors through his NGO Reptile and Amphibian Program Sierra Leone (RAP-SL).
His work has earned him a Tusk Conservation in Africa Award, presented by the charity’s royal patron Prince William at a glittering ceremony in London on November 27 in partnership with Ninety One. Along with a trophy, Eddie has been awarded a grant of £75,000, sponsored by Defender, to continue his work and reach more communities along Sierra Leone’s coastline.
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He already has several other project sites, including neighbouring Sherbro Island where Hollywood actor Idris Elba – whose father hailed from Sierra Leone – is developing an eco-resort.
Stretching for 400km along the Atlantic Ocean, the West African country’s coastline has huge potential as a marine and winter sun destination – especially when direct flights operated by newly formed flag carrier Air Sierra Leone launch between London Gatwick and Freetown on…
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