Diani Turtle Watch partner with bank to protect sea turtles in Kwale

A turtle hatchling heads to the sea near Serena Beach in Mombasa. [Peter Muiruri, Standard]

SBM Bank has partnered with Diani Turtle Watch to boost the number of endangered sea turtles in Diani, Kwale County.

This exercise would involve the relocation of vulnerable nests to safer locations and enhancing patrols and monitoring activities critical in augmenting the turtle conservation work.

SBM Bank Kenya Deputy Chief Executive Officer Jotham Mutoka said that the bank was keen on taking a leading role in the conservation of turtles in line with its key tenets of doing responsible business.

He said the bank was stepping up environmental conservation in the face of increasing threats from human activities and climate threats on endangered species such as sea turtles at the Coast.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognise our role in promoting sustainability across our operations including the coastal region which is a key biodiversity hotspot," Mutoka said.

Mutoka said the protection of critical ecosystems was part of the bank's vital role in driving the country's agenda on sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental conservation.

Diani Turtle Watch Project Manager Dempsey Mai said the population of sea turtles has decreased by as much as two-thirds overall with about 6.5 million remaining globally today.

He said the Western Indian Ocean hosts five of the seven sea turtle species, including the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle, olive ridley turtle, and leatherback turtle.

"As migratory species that travel thousands of miles, their protection requires collaborative regional efforts between nesting sites, feeding grounds, and migratory routes," said Mai.