Sea Turtle Center Needs Boat Motor for Rescue

Donors helped to keep project boat running

Although we had hoped to reach our fundraising goal of $2500 and to purchase a new second hand boat motor for our Osa sea turtle conservation project, we are still glad to have received an amount of $735! With this, we were able to purchase the most urgently needed boat parts and together with $1225 from volunteer fees and other funding, we could keep the engine running – and so the conservation activities, like the In-water population studies and the mangrove reforestation program. We also transported sea turtles from the Golfo Dulce to our rescue center for treatment. Besides a new trim, we had to replace important pipes for the cooling system, starter rope, plugs, impeller, lower unit seals and oil. A local mechanic from the community changed the parts and made the motor running again.

The project’s boat is essential for our work in Osa, for the important surveys we conduct in the Golfo Dulce, and sea turtle transportation. We are very happy that we only had a short time without a boat and that volunteers still made reservations to come and help us. Additionally, LAST hosted an international workshop about sea turtle monitoring and capture methods together with ICAPO (see project report at main campaign) and the project boat was urgently needed to perform the surveys with national and international marine conservationists in order to provide training.

Facts and Figures, Turtles and Mangroves

From March to May, we were able to take data from 27 endangered green turtles and 44 critically endangered hawksbill turtles! 10 of the green turtles were new captures, so they have not been registered in our data base so far. The majority of these species were adults and females, but our team also surveyed 8 juvenile turtles and 2 males! All animals appeared to be in a good healthy condition. Out of the hawksbill turtles, we registered 11 individuals as new captures, 21 juvenile turtles, 16 adult females and 7 male turtles! 4 sea turtles had to be brought to the rescue center for a fresh water bath treatment and parasite (Stephanolepas muricata) removal. The parasite might not be fatal for the turtle, but if growing, it can affect the flippers so badly that it hinders the animal to swim or dive.  This means, that a turtle won't be able to search for food.

More than 100 volunteers participated in the project’s conservation activities, assisted our biologist Beth with taking biometric data from green and hawksbill turtles and planted approximately 500 mangrove trees for reforestation of the wider Playa Blanca area with the logistics manager David and our three international research assistants. Mangroves are an important ecosystem for marine animals and serve as nurseries for many marine and terrestrial species; they provide habitat for a large number of animals, they serve as food source, they are a filtration system and improve the marine environment as the environment in general, they are a natural barrier and protect the coast and its inhabitants; they play a key role in the food chain! By capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in their biomass, mangrove species are able to reduce the amount of excess carbon in the air, thus reducing the greenhouse gas’ contribution to global warming. Our mangrove nursery has more than 3000 young trees right now, ready for planting soon!

Thank you very much.

We would like to thank all people who have supported this micro project and encourage everyone to further read about our main campaign on Global Giving. Please share the word about marine turtle conservation and its importance! Healthy turtles, healthy ecosystems – it means a healthy environment for humans, too!

Best wishes from LAST Team Costa Rica