Sea Turtle Conservation

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
Talamanca

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: Volunteers are needed to help protect the magnificent leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtles on the beaches of Southeast Caribbean of Costa Rica. Currently, all eight species of sea turtle world wide are recognized as 'endangered' by International Conservation Union (IUCN). The leatherback sea turtle, the largest of its kind (its carapace can measure up to 2 meters long), nests in Costa Rica and is severely threatened by human poachers and beach erosion resulting from human development. Before this project began in 1986, the poaching rate was over 95-99%; but with the presence of volunteer night patrols and protected hatcheries on the beach, the survival rate has recently increased to over 90%. As a volunteer in this project you will take part in this crucial and exciting conservation effort. You will witness a true marvel of nature and meet interesting people from this region and participants from around the world.

Highlights: The main work of the volunteers involves night patrols and hatchery shifts. Other daytime work at the project may involve beach cleanup and small projects, including initial construction of the hatcheries. The night patrols leave between 8pm and 4am, when a shift of volunteers led by an experienced patrol leader walk one of the 6km long sectors of the 12 km beach searching for nesting females. An average night patrol will take 4 hours but can last longer if it encounters turtles. Once a turtle is found on a night patrol, the volunteers work directly with the turtle taking carapace and nest dimension measurements, collecting eggs and tagging the rear flipper of the turtle if it is a Leatherback or the front flippers if it is a green or Hawksbill turtle and collecting a DNA sample. The collected eggs are then relocated on the beach or taken to the hatchery where the volunteers on shift will build a new nest to measurement and transplant the eggs .The number of eggs, nest location and turtle identification information (tag number) are then recorded by the hatchery attendant for further data analysis including hatchling survival rate. Hatchery shifts will take 6 hours. The tasks will be relocating nest (as described above), keeping out predators and tourists, giving information to tourists, taking nest temperatures and measuring and releasing hatchlings. The approximate incubation time for all sea turtle eggs is 60 days, therefore midway through the season the duties of the hatchery attendants increases as the hatchlings begin to emerge. At this time, all nests in the hatcheries must be checked every 30 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the night and if hatchlings are found, they must be counted and released in the evening to an appropriate location along the high tide line and observed until they reach the sea. Hatchlings are never released directly into the sea. Exceptionally, volunteers are asked to work longer hours than their normal shift.

Depending on the part of the season, the tasks you have to carry out as a volunteer will differ. The start of the season until May will consist of patrolling the beach during the night, with the number of nesting Leatherbacks gradually increasing, and cleaning the beach during the day. In May you will help building the hatchery. Once the hatchery is ready, nests will be relocated to it. From this time forward, hatchery shifts will be part of the job. Beach cleaning duties will stop; but patrols will still go out every night. In July, the first nest will hatch so work in the hatchery will increase. The second half of September and October is the end of the season. This means that few turtles come to nest. During the second half of October there will be no more patrols and only work in the hatchery with many babies emerging. The season ends at the end of October when the last nest in the hatchery has hatched.

As a volunteer in this project you will have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the beautiful region of Talamanca, rich in cultural and natural diversity. Swimming and snorkeling can always be enjoyed at the beach - some places still sustain a healthy coral reef system. Telephone and internet access is readily available and there are horses for rent, bikes and snorkeling tours. You can also take a bus trip, with other participants, to the nearby beach town of Puerto Viejo, which boasts great beaches, surf and nightlife.

Qualifications:
* Min age 18
* Good level of English
* Previous travel and/or volunteer experience
* High level of independence and emotional strength
* Motivation to work with children
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Cost in US$: USD630 for 2 weeks

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 - 70 (families are welcome)

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.