Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Born Free has been helping to protect dugongs and sea turtles in Tanzania since January 2001, supporting the work of Sea Sense.

Until recently, the dugong was thought to be extinct in Tanzania.  However there is now concrete evidence a small population remains. Plus the seas off Tanzania are home to five species of endangered sea turtles, which were slaughtered for their meat and drowned in fishing nets.  Poaching of eggs was also commonplace. 

Working in partnership with local coastal communities, the University of Dar es Salaam and other stakeholders, Sea Sense aims to protect dugongs and marine turtles and their habitats in Tanzania through community involvement in habitat conservation, nest protection and environmental education activities. 

The project also collects data on the status and distribution of dugongs and turtles - information critical to management.  Finally, Sea Sense promotes local community livelihoods through dugong and turtle-based tourism, provision of incentives and habitat protection.