Cape Verde hosts the world's third-largest loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting population, with an estimated 20,000-30,000 nests annually on sandy beaches across the islands — particularly Boa Vista and Sal. SOS Tartarugas and Turtle Foundation operate monitoring and protection programs, employing local rangers to patrol beaches and protect nests from poaching.
Welfare threats to nesting turtles include: beach lighting disturbing nesting behavior; tourism disturbance; historical egg harvesting (now illegal but partially continuing); ghost gear entanglement at sea; and climate change affecting sand temperatures (affecting sex ratios of hatchlings — warmer sands produce more females). These represent both individual animal welfare and population-level concerns.
Stray dog and cat populations are significant in Cape Verde's towns and cities, particularly Praia (capital) and Mindelo. Limited municipal shelter capacity and the absence of systematic spay/neuter programs means populations are managed primarily through periodic culling — a welfare-poor approach. International veterinary volunteer organizations periodically conduct spay/neuter campaigns.
A local animal welfare organization, SOS Animal Cape Verde, advocates for humane population management and operates a small shelter. Increasing tourism has raised awareness of animal welfare issues among visitors, creating some pressure for improved standards.
Cape Verde's animal welfare legal framework is limited, with basic anti-cruelty provisions in the penal code. Dedicated animal welfare legislation has been discussed but not enacted. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment oversees domestic animal and wildlife issues with limited dedicated welfare capacity.
Cape Verde's marine environment includes important cetacean populations — humpback whales pass through seasonally, and resident populations of dolphins including bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins inhabit island waters. Whale watching tourism has developed around São Vicente and Santo Antão. Marine protected areas provide some habitat protection.
Cape Verde's islands have been affected by introduced species including feral cats (threatening nesting seabirds) and invasive vegetation reducing sea turtle habitat. Management of invasive species on islands involves ethical complexity when management options include lethal control of feral animals.