Proyecto Carey-Cahuita

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
Limon,  Talamanca,  Puerto Viejo

Term: Summer 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Objectives

Improve the knowledge about the biology, ecology and conservation of the sea turtles in the Southeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, to give guidelines for a better conservation actions.

Conduct an assessment of the sea turtle population trends based on:

- monitoring of the seasonal beach activity of adult females
- sampling of sea turtles in foraging grounds to include individuals not encountered on the nesting beach

Duties

Volunteers will participate in the following activities:

- Assessment of abundance trends and behaviour for in-water sea turtle populations (snorkeling and/or diving)
- Monitoring of sea turtle nesting activity (night patrols and morning surveys)
- Operation and monitoring of sea turtle hatchery
- Maintenance of park trails

Highlights: There is a need of assessing habitats used by sea turtles in different life stages, and types of threats they are exposed to in coastal and pelagic waters. The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is home to one of the most important nesting beaches of the region (Cahuita National Park), and the coral reefs found here provide shelter for poorly studied resident populations. With numbers of turtles decreasing in the Wider Caribbean region, as product of illegal slaughter by local fisherman, poaching of eggs in nesting beaches, and at habitat loss, population recovery has become a top conservation priority for this already critically endangered species.

The park is especially important for sea turtles. Two critically endangered species of turtles nest in the parks beaches, the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (Feb-Aug), and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) (May-Nov). The endangered Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) may also be found nesting occasionally (Jun-Oct). The coral reef is an important foraging and mating site for the Hawksbill Turtle.

Cahuita National Park is the only place in Costa Rican Caribbean coast where you can find healthy coral reefs, and the beaches are bordered by lush vegetation. The wildlife is rich, some common sightings are monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, caimans, anteaters, peccaries, and around 400 species of birds.

This volunteer position is a great opportunity to have actively participate and help in the conservation of the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle.

Qualifications: Full training will be provided upon arrival to project site. This does not include diving certification.

Requirements (Research Assistant position):

- Degree in Biology, Conservation or related subject
- Diving certificate (PADI Open Water or equivalent).

Desirable skills (general):

- Degree in Biology, Conservation or related subject
- Diving certificate (PADI Open Water or equivalent) (required for in-water activities)
- First Aid course
- Fluency in English, and at least conversational level in Spanish
- Previous experience in sea turtle conservation work or other conservation project
- Previous experience in monitoring in-water sea turtle populations
- Be physically fit, and have no major health restraints
- Ability to withstand hot humid climate
- Ability to walk long distances (up to 10Km per night) on soft sand at night
- Long-term commitment (minimum 2 weeks)

Cost in US$: $35 inscription fee (paid once), plus $17 per night

Volunteering: The minimum participation time is 2 weeks.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers must be motivated, responsible, and environmentally conscious. A good sense of humour and ability to share basic living conditions with other volunteers and working in a group is essential. Most of the work will involve working long hours in hot and humid climate, and a walking distances of up to 10Km per night, so volunteers must be physically fit. There is no age limit, but volunteers must be over 18 years old (most 18-25), responsible and sensitive to conservation issues.

Age Range: minimum 18 years old.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10-20

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

WIDECAST Latin America - Cahuita In-Water Program's Mission Statement: WIDECAST Latin American program mission: To improve the conservation status of the marine turtles in Costa Rica, with emphasis on the Caribbean region through research, political lobbying, planning, training, creation of socio-economic alternatives and public awareness.

Year Founded: 2005