The Cofán community of Zabalo works hard to protect and preserve the river habitat they call home. That includes managing the Amazon River Turtle Rescue & Repopulation Center, a project the community started in the late 1990s after noticing a serious decline in turtle populations along the Aguarico River and the small, blackwater streams that lead into it. We need your donation today to help fund this project for 2024. In March of this year, we had the incredible opportunity to participate in the release of baby turtles into the Aguarico River, an important source of water for the Amazon. It was a moment that truly touched our hearts and emphasized the critical role of the Cofan-led turtle project in safeguarding the future of these remarkable creatures. The Cofán community has shown incredible dedication and willingness to protect two species of turtles important to the Amazon, the charapa (Podocnemis unifilis) and the poca (Podocnemis expansa). They embraced responsible practices to protect the turtles and prevent overharvesting eggs, which are an important traditional food source for all indigenous peoples living in the Amazon basin. The Cofán program includes population monitoring, beach protection, and the "head-starting" process, where they raise hatchlings in small pools. These efforts have yielded positive outcomes, but they need ongoing financial support to sustain them. That is why we are reaching out to you today. We have set an ambitious goal of raising $30,000 by the end of December 30, 2024. This funding will cover essential expenses such as liveable wages for Cofán families working on the project, including Cofán community members paid to manage the program. With your generous contributions, the Zabalo Cofán can continue their vital work and secure the future of these endangered turtles.
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