The Bicho de Casco project, active since 2010, is set to release approximately 8,000 turtle hatchlings in the Amazon this year, marking the highest number ever recorded for the initiative. This project focuses on the conservation of vulnerable turtle species such as iaçá, irapuca, tracajá, and the Amazon river turtle in the Baixo Rio Branco-Jauaperi extractive reserve, located at the border between Amazonas and Roraima. The area encompasses 100 kilometers of the Jauaperi River, a tributary of the Negro, where these species lay their eggs on riverine beaches, making them particularly susceptible to extinction due to environmental threats and human interference.

Despite these achievements, the project faces ongoing challenges, particularly from illegal wildlife trafficking, which poses a significant risk to the conservation efforts. To mitigate these threats, local ecotourism companies support the initiative by funding riverine residents to monitor the nesting sites during the night, deterring poachers who capture these turtles for illegal trade or personal consumption. This community engagement not only protects the turtles but also creates a sustainable source of income for the residents involved in the program.

The project employs a management methodology developed by the Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam), which includes collecting eggs from beaches and constructing artificial nests to protect them from predators like iguanas and ants. This comprehensive approach aims to improve hatching success rates and contribute to the long-term survival of these turtle species in the Amazon. However, the continued threat of trafficking highlights the need for further efforts in education and enforcement to ensure the effectiveness of such conservation initiatives, emphasizing the fragile balance between wildlife protection and local livelihoods.