Help Save Sea Turtles in Mizata and Stop Turtle Egg Poaching

Every year during nesting season, hundreds of sea turtles return to the beaches of Mizata, El Salvador, to lay their eggs. Tragically, many of these eggs are taken by local poachers and sold before they ever have a chance to hatch — putting already-endangered species at even greater risk and threatening the fragile balance of our coastal ecosystem.

At the Mizata Foundation, we’re determined to change that.

Right now, the most effective and immediate way to protect these turtles is simple: rescue the eggs before they’re sold and relocate them to a safe hatchery where they can hatch naturally. For as little as $2, we can rescue roughly 12 eggs — saving an entire clutch from being eaten or sold on the black market. The price per dozen can range between $2 and $6, but because it’s still early in the nesting season, eggs are currently cheaper — meaning the faster we raise funds, the more nests we can protect.

Why This Works (and Why Now)

✅ Proven, immediate impact: For roughly $2 USD, we can purchase ~12 eggs that would otherwise be sold and eaten. We then relocate the eggs to protected hatcheries until they safely hatch.

✅ Community-first: Instead of fighting locals who depend on this income, we redirect it — with over time planning to hire night patrollers, and offer training so the community benefits more from protection than from poaching.

✅ Time-sensitive: Nesting season is underway. Every week we wait means lost nests and fewer turtles returning to Mizata in the future.

Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Solution

While egg rescue is the fastest and most effective action we can take right now, this is just the first step. Over time, we aim to build a comprehensive turtle protection program — including community education, sustainable economic alternatives, dedicated patrols, and long-term conservation strategies — to address the systemic issues that lead to poaching in the first place.

But today, the priority is clear: every dollar raised helps save more nests right now. Together, we can protect Mizata’s sea turtles, preserve biodiversity, and ensure that future generations of these incredible creatures return to our shores.