Sea turtle nesting beaches face multiple threats from development and human activity. Protection programs reduce suffering and support population recovery for these endangered species.
Nesting beach threats cause welfare harm at multiple stages: nesting females disturbed mid-nest often abort the nesting attempt and may not re-nest successfully; trapped hatchlings die from overheating or exhaustion; disoriented hatchlings following artificial light die from predation or dehydration. Each of these represents both a welfare harm to individual animals and a conservation loss. Community-based nest protection programs that engage coastal residents and tourists are highly effective and provide welfare benefit at population scale.