In Chimichagua (Cesar), WCS is leading a habitat restoration program for the Carranchina turtle, which also includes support for the protection of local streams.
So far, nine agreements have been signed with farm owners, who have set aside portions of their land for conservation—a total of 394 hectares. As part of these agreements, stream enclosures have been implemented to protect water sources from livestock, and a restoration process has been carried out. Since the program’s implementation in 2017, more than 8,000 trees have been planted.
Photo: Daniël Nelson
In Bocas del Carare (Puerto Parra) and San Rafael de Chucurí (Barrancabermeja, Santander), voluntary agreements have been signed with three fishing associations—Asopezchucurí, Asopesbocar, and Asodesba—to reduce turtle mortality caused by accidental bycatch.
During fishing activities, turtles of various sizes often get caught in fishing nets or hooks. In the past, fishermen would take them home for consumption. However, under these new agreements, they now release any trapped turtles back into the water instead of keeping them.
Traslated via ChatGPT