The endangered green turtle, which has suffered from habitat loss, poaching, pollution and a host of other human-related conflicts around the world is finding refuge in Lamu. An initiative by the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust, supported by the Tusk Trust, is aiming to create an incentive for local fisherman and ex-turtle poachers to protect instead of harm not only green turtles but hawksbill (also endangered) and olive ridley turtles, which nest in the Lamu area. Rewards are given to fisherman for releasing turtles caught in nets, and ex-poachers have been hired to protect the nests of turtles to ensure higher survival rates.

Here are photographs from a recent turtle hatching on nearby Manda Island: