A new survivable algorithm called Selforganizing Shared-Path Protection (SSPP) is proposed to tolerate multi-link failures in wavelength division multiplexing optical networks. In SSPP, ant agents are used to search primary paths, and load balancing is considered in this approach to reduce blocking probability (BP). In the approach of search backup paths, different backup path ant agents use a same kind pheromone and these ant agents are attracted by each other, so different backup paths share more backup resources. In order to tolerate multi-link failures, self-organizing ant agents search new routes for carrying the traffic affected by the failures. Simulation results show that compared with other algorithms, SSPP has lower BP, better resource utilization ratio, and higher protection ability.