African Chelonian Institute: Our Mission

African Chelonian Institute: Our Mission
To build in Senegal the first center dedicated to the conservation of all turtle
species of the African continent and associated islands. ACI will include:
A breeding facility for endangered African tortoises and freshwater turtles
The Forest Hinge back tortoise is one
of 7 endangered species the
breeding center will focus on when it
begins. As ACI grows, the breeding
center will expand to include more
species. (Photo courtesy of Jerome
Maran)
Our many years of previous experience in the
captive breeding of turtles, such as the
hatchling Sulcata tortoises shown here, have
provided us with the skills to successfully
expand to our efforts to other species in need.
African Chelonian Institute: Our Mission
To build the first center in Africa dedicated to the conservation of all turtle
species of the African continent and associated islands. ACI will include:
An educational center and exhibits for students and the public
Tomas Diagne with an educational panel
describing Senegal’s turtle species (Photo
courtesy of Rolex Awards for Enterprise)
Tomas Diagne has been teaching
Senegalese students about the
importance of turtle conservation
since 1993 (Photo courtesy of
Rolex Awards for Enterprise)
African Chelonian Institute: Our Mission
To build the first center in Africa dedicated to the conservation of all turtle
species of the African continent and associated islands. ACI will include:
A training center for students and turtle researchers, and a
reference library of specimens, turtle fossils, and African turtle art
Top: ACI already has one of Africa’s largest reference
collections of turtle specimens, which can be studied by
scientific researchers to improve turtle conservation
Right: ACI’s African turtle art collection, such as these
Baoule turtle masks from Ivory Coast, teach about the
cultural importance of turtles
African Chelonian Institute: Our Mission
To expand grassroots programs with turtle researchers in multiple countries
to re-introduce turtles back to their natural habitats
Left: Tomas Diagne (seated, center) teaches African turtle
researchers from multiple countries how to protect wild
turtles
Top: ACI will focus on field surveys, captive breeding, and reintroduction of the Nubian Flapshell turtle, one of the least
studied species in the world. (Photo courtesy of John Hart)
African Chelonian Institute: Our Mission
To conduct field surveys to better understand the distributions and conservation
needs of wild turtle populations throughout Africa.
• Turtles and tortoises are increasingly rare in Africa
• Habitat loss and degradation are significant problems, especially for forest turtle species
• Nearly every species is used for food and/or traditional medicines
The Adanson’s Mud Turtle is endemic to Senegal and
its populations are severely declining due to human
impacts. This project works to study and conserve this
species in the wild at Lac de Guiers, Senegal.
Tomas Diagne (second from left) working in
Benin with researchers from Togo, Ivory Coast,
and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
African Chelonian Institute
If you would like to help us achieve our goals, please contact
Tomas Diagne at: [email protected]
Tax deductible contributions can be made online at:
www.sea2shore.org
(Click the donation button and specify African Turtles)
or by check to:
Sea to Shore Alliance
4411 Bee Ridge Road, #490
Sarasota, FL 34233
THANK YOU!!