Last updated on the 4th of October 2025

1. Purpose & Fund Allocation

The Turtle Tag Sponsorship programme (“the Programme”) is a charitable initiative by Big Skies Travel to support sea turtle conservation in KwaZulu-Natal.

Every R500 sponsorship received through this Programme will be allocated to turtle tagging and conservation contributions for the following year’s campaign, aside from standard transaction processing fees charged by third-party payment providers.

Funds may be directed to the Tim Neary Turtle Trust, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, or other reputable turtle-oriented non-profit partners active in KZN. This ensures contributions directly support turtle monitoring, protection, and associated community conservation activities.

Big Skies reserves the right to:

• Introduce value-added services in the future (e.g., optional merchandise, experiences, or enhanced reporting) on top of the sponsorship donation.

• Adjust the proportion of ring-fenced costs in future seasons, where necessary, to cover reasonable operational or administrative expenses related to running the Programme.

• Any such changes will be communicated transparently in advance with no additional fees charged without consent or approval.

2. Pilot Programme & Sponsorship Cap

This initiative is a pilot programme. Although Ezemvelo turtle monitors typically tag between 1,000 and 2,000 turtles each season across the KZN coastline, Big Skies is initially capping participation at 30 turtle sponsorships.

Some of these 30 sponsorships may be sold before the tag is attached to a turtle. In such cases, sponsors are purchasing the right to adopt that tag once it is deployed during the season. This ensures responsible management and prevents overselling while allowing sponsors to secure a place in this exclusive pilot.

Big Skies may, at its discretion, increase the number of available sponsorships if the pilot demonstrates that the model can scale responsibly.

3. Donation Policy

• Sponsorships are treated as non-refundable donations.

• By sponsoring, donors acknowledge this is a philanthropic contribution to conservation, not a purchase of goods or services.

4. Data & Update Delivery

Sponsors will receive:

• A welcome email and link to name their turtle (names subject to moderation).

• Personalised updates when their turtle is sighted by official monitors. Updates may include tag ID, species, date/time, activity (emerged, nesting, returning, etc.), and distinguishing features.

• A season summary report a few weeks after the nesting season closes, covering the number of turtles tagged, sightings recorded, highlights from the field, and what the collective contributions achieved.

All data is:

• Collected by official monitors (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, community monitors, and partners).

• Time-lagged by at least 48–72 hours for turtle safety and data accuracy.

• Subject to additional delays — there may be times when updates take longer than anticipated due to data processing, verification, or operational challenges.

• Approximate in location (no precise nest coordinates).

Big Skies also reserves the right to expand or modify the way updates are delivered in the future, including use of new platforms or communication mediums beyond email.

5. Wildlife Uncertainty

Turtles are wild animals with unpredictable behaviour. Sponsorship does not guarantee that your turtle will be sighted during the season or in future years. Some turtles may not return to monitored beaches. Sponsorship is symbolic and educational, not a guarantee of updates.

6. Best Effort & Third-Party Dependencies

Big Skies Travel will make a best effort attempt to deliver all communications and updates described above.

However, success depends on third-party cooperation (Tim Neary Turtle Trust, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, turtle monitors). If these parties withdraw or data becomes unavailable, updates may be delayed, suspended, or cancelled. In such cases, the sponsorship remains a donation to turtle conservation.

7. Privacy

• Sponsor details (name, email) are collected only to administer the programme.

• Data will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

• Sponsors may opt out of communications, but this means no further updates will be received.

8. Marketing & Publicity Rights

• Sponsors consent to their chosen turtle name being used publicly in programme communications, including but not limited to reports, updates, and digital content (such as website or social media posts).

• Big Skies Travel will never publish sponsors’ personal names, photos, or other identifying information without explicit prior consent.

• Sponsors may opt out of having their turtle’s chosen name displayed publicly by contacting Big Skies Travel in writing.

9. Governing Law

This programme is governed by the laws of South Africa. By sponsoring, donors agree to these Terms & Conditions.

10. Clarification on Tag Types

There are multiple tagging technologies available for sea turtles, including acoustic tags, satellite tags, and flipper tags. Big Skies Travel’s Programme focuses exclusively on flipper tags in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Tim Neary Turtle Trust.

• Acoustic tags provide detailed movement data but only within receiver networks.

• Satellite tags provide near-real-time migratory data but are costly and short-lived.

• Flipper tags are the most common and affordable, enabling broad public participation. They provide data only when the turtle is physically sighted by monitors, usually during nesting season.

By joining this Programme, sponsors acknowledge that all data shared will be derived from flipper tag sightings reported by authorized monitors.

11. Scientific Data & Ethical Safeguards

Big Skies Travel has worked closely with conservationists and scientists to ensure that any turtle data shared with sponsors is handled responsibly. Because sea turtle populations are fragile, strict safeguards are in place:

• Time-Lagged Sharing: All turtle sighting data is deliberately delayed by a minimum of 48–72 hours before being shared. This protects nest locations from disturbance and allows time for scientific verification.

• Location Accuracy: Nesting site data is shared only approximately (within ~50 meters). Exact nest coordinates are never disclosed to safeguard turtle nests.

• Responsible Use: Sponsors acknowledge that all information provided remains conservation data, not open scientific datasets. Scientists and monitors retain rights over the data they collect, and Big Skies is authorised only to share it for the purpose of this Programme.

• Communication Delays: While Big Skies strives to send updates promptly, additional delays may occur due to verification, operational conditions, or partner dependencies.

• All scientific data remains the property of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Tim Neary Turtle Trust. Big Skies Travel is authorised solely to share this data for the purpose of this programme.

12. Liability

Big Skies Travel, its partners, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any incidental, consequential, or indirect losses, claims, or damages arising from participation in the Programme or reliance on turtle data provided. Participation is voluntary and at the donor’s own risk.

Sponsors agree to respect these measures, which are designed to protect nesting turtles and support long-term conservation outcomes.