Emergency Response: Tackling a Plastic ocean

It's in the single-use packaging we discard, the consumer goods that fill our stores, and in our clothing, which sheds micro-plastic fibres in the wash. Plastics pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife and every year thousands of seabirds and sea turtles, seals and other marine mammals are killed after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.

The more communities who engage and take control of their environment, the more successful our chances of keeping the ocean clean will become. By giving people the know-how we can curb the issue at the source but we also understand the need to fund beach and reef clean-ups to mitigate the effects of the plastic that hasn't been dealt with.

We hope that by educating communities and cleaning up the plastic that is already in/near the ocean we can keep our oceans clean. Thank you for your support.

To our dedicated Ocean Guardians,

I wanted to share an update on a project that is literally fighting for the survival of the next generation of our oceans. As we celebrate 20 years of Action Change, our work with Loggerhead sea turtles off the South African coastline is reaching a critical point.

First, let's talk about these incredible creatures. Loggerheads are nature's engineers. Named for their oversized heads and powerful jaws, they are perfectly built to crush heavy-shelled prey like crabs and sea urchins. They are also world-class travelers; hatchlings born on our northern beaches enter the powerful Agulhas Current, beginning a massive journey that spans oceans. But this journey has become increasingly dangerous.

The Rising Crisis

As we head into the peak of the season, we are seeing a worrying trend. Every year, more hatchlings are washing up on the Western Cape beaches, exhausted and sick. Last year alone, we rescued over 250 of them. Why? Because the ocean they enter is now filled with plastic, which they mistake for food, and "ghost gear"—discarded fishing nets that can trap them, preventing them from surfacing to breathe.

If you find a hatchling washed up, please know this: never put it back in the ocean. These little fighters are often suffering from dehydration, exhaustion, or internal blockages from plastic. If they go back into the water in that state, they won't survive. They need professional help.

Our Action Plan

Right now, our team is in full "rescue mode":

• Outreach: We are patrolling the coastline, installing awareness signs, and sharing emergency contact numbers so locals know exactly what to do when they find a stranded turtle.

• Turtle Ambassadors: We have a network of volunteers along the coast who respond instantly to reports, getting these turtles to our hospital as quickly as possible.

• Rehab & Release: Once in our care, they undergo treatment—including complex diagnostics like MRIs to clear blockages and heal. After about six months of care, we release them back into the wild, equipped with satellite trackers.

Why We Track Them

Those trackers aren't just for show. By collecting data on where these turtles go, we are contributing to a global scientific effort to protect their migratory paths and understand their survival rates.

This is where we need your help. This is our most expensive program because it is 100% funded by your donations. Between the specialized vet care, the long-term rehabilitation, and the satellite tracking technology, every single dollar is working overtime.

This is why the "Little by Little" campaign is the perfect moment for us.

From March 17th to the 20th, GlobalGiving is matching all donations up to $50 at 50%.

• Your $50 turns into $75 instantly.

• That $75 helps us cover the cost of life-saving medical supplies for a turtle battling plastic ingestion.

Please save the date and help us spread the word. If you can, share this with your networks. Let's make sure that these 250+ hatchlings have a fighting chance to grow up and return to the ocean where they belong.

Thank you for 20 years of standing with us and for being the lifeline these turtles so desperately need!