Indigenous 'Turtle Women' revive vulnerable river turtles in Ecuador's Amazon

Seven Indigenous Siekopai women in Ecuador’s Amazon, known as the “Turtle Women,” collected 235 charapa turtle eggs and released 208 hatchlings into the Aguarico River in 2026, boosting survival for the vulnerable species. The women patrol riverbanks, rescue eggs threatened by flooding, predators, and pollution, and raise hatchlings in protected conditions using ancestral knowledge and the Epicollect5 data app. Their work addresses threats like hunting, plastic waste, and climate-related water level changes. The project also preserves Siekopai cultural ties to the turtles, involving community workshops for children. While the releases are a positive outcome, continued habitat protection remains essential for long-term population recovery.