LATAM Transports Olive Ridley Turtle for Conservation

LATAM Airlines has played a crucial role in the conservation of an olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) by transporting it within Chile as part of its Solidarity Plane program. The adult female turtle, weighing 38 kg and measuring 90 cm in length, was found stranded and rescued by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) off the coast of Ancud on Chiloé Island in the Los Lagos Region.

Initially, the turtle was transferred to the Chiloé Silvestre biodiversity conservation center, where an assessment revealed superficial wounds on her carapace and front flippers. She received primary care, including fluid therapy, antibiotics, vitamins, and pain management. However, for a full recovery, she was transported to the Safari Conservation Foundation in the O’Higgins region for further rehabilitation.

Juan José Tohá, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for LATAM, emphasized the airline’s commitment to biodiversity, stating, “At LATAM, we understand that our commitment to society also involves protecting biodiversity. Through our Solidarity Plane program, we make our network available for conservation, facilitating the transport of at-risk wildlife so it can receive necessary care and return to its habitat in the best possible condition. This collaboration with Sernapesca is a concrete example of how connectivity can contribute to the preservation of our species.”

Ricardo Sáez, National Head of the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit at Sernapesca, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, saying, “We thank Chiloé Silvestre for all their efforts in keeping this turtle safe. They provided essential treatments and care that were crucial for her stabilization. Thanks to LATAM’s Solidarity Plane program, we were able to arrange this transfer, and thanks to the Safari Conservation Foundation, which will provide specialized care. The journey began this Friday, March 28th, involving a long land trip, a ferry crossing, and a flight to the Metropolitan Region, before the turtle was finally transferred to the Safari Conservation Foundation’s Rehabilitation Center in the O’Higgins region. There, she will be rehabilitated until she is in optimal condition to return to her natural habitat.”

The olive ridley turtle is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Chile’s Ministry of the Environment (MMA). It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This species inhabits tropical waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with a diet that includes algae, crustaceans, invertebrates, and small fish.

Pollution, climate change, and interactions with fishing activities have severely impacted the olive ridley turtle population, making rescue and rehabilitation efforts like this one crucial. Once the turtle is in optimal condition, she is expected to be reintroduced to the coasts of northern Chile, where she will find a more suitable environment with appropriate temperatures and greater food availability.

For over 13 years, LATAM’s Solidarity Plane program has supported health, environmental, and disaster-related initiatives across South America, maintaining nearly 50 partnerships in countries like Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil. In 2024 alone, the program transported 1,655 people and over 400,000 kilograms of cargo free of charge within Chile, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to societal and environmental well-being.