LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) – Conservationists and students cheered as three rescued sea turtles, endangered in this part of the world, were returned to the sea on a private beach in Nigeria’s economic capital Lagos.
The sea turtle was released back into the ocean several weeks after being rescued from fishermen, making it the latest of dozens of sea turtles rescued by the Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative in recent years. This batch was released last weekend.
“For fishermen, they are just food,” Chinedu Mogbo, founder of the Green Fingers group, told The Associated Press. “I don’t know anything about wild animals.”
School children watch as an endangered sea turtle rescued from fishermen is released into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Aramba)
Sea turtles, known for their vital role in the marine ecosystem, are endangered around Lagos, a coastal city of more than 20 million people. It is unclear how many sea turtles remain in Lagos waters, but wildlife conservationists like Mogbo say there has been an alarming decline in the number of sea turtles coming to the coast to lay eggs.
Wildlife species are endangered in Nigeria
Wildlife conservationist Chinedu Mogbo (right) releases an endangered sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean that was rescued from a fisherman in Lagos, Nigeria, Saturday, October 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Aramba)
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Nigeria is home to 23 “endangered species” that are rich in wildlife.
West African countries also Center of illegal wildlife tradeExperts blame pressure from population growth and a lack of animal awareness.
“Nigeria’s endangered wildlife species face serious and continuing threats and are on the brink of irreversible biodiversity collapse,” said Mark Offa, Wild Africa West Africa Director.
Conservation activities that are producing results
People play with a sea turtle that was rescued from fishermen before being released into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Sunday Aramba)
The battered sea turtle rescued by Mogbo and his team was cared for at an endangered wildlife sanctuary in Lagos before being released back into the ocean.
“We released the sea turtle, but six months later we found it recaptured. It caught the attention of the fishermen,” Mogbo said. “It’s a positive change for me.”
He said incentives for fishermen helped. If a sea turtle is caught in a net, or if a turtle nest is accidentally discovered on the beach, the fishermen are rewarded with fishing gear for reporting to conservationists.
A group of students watched in admiration as the three turtles disappeared into the water.
“This is very special to me because I am very passionate about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation,” said Abiel Izedonmi, one of the students in attendance. “When you see something like this in Nigeria, it’s unusual, but it shows you how important these things are.”
