Helping the Olive Ridley Turtles, Costa Rica

This project is very interesting. On our project page there isn’t enough space to tell you this story, about how a community of people have cared for and increased the survival rate of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) an endangered species. The Olive Ridley Turtle refuge at Playa Ostional in Costa Rica is where this story takes place. For almost 30 years now the residents await the nesting time that occurs during the waning moon of September. 1 million to 1½ million female turtles come up on the beach to lay their eggs. When the “arribada” comes to town the town gets down to the beach. The people are allowed to gather the eggs that are laid in the first two days and for only 800 meters of the beach. This ensures that only eggs that would be destroyed by the turtles themselves in the subsequent 9 days of nesting are harvested. Since this program began the population of the turtles has been increasing due to the application of this system. This group, the Asociación de Desarollo Integral de Ostional (ADIO), cleans the beach, acts as guides for tourists visiting the refuge, plants trees in the area and are active in all areas of sustaining a clean environment. The town only received electric lights in 1996. Simply put, there is a symbiotic relationship going on down there. After posting this project on Global Giving and announcing it to all of our supporters, within 20 minutes, our friend, Paul Hynek from Giant Studios had already “kick started” the project with his donation. Thank you Paul. One other donation has been received so let’s keep this old motor running, eh. It is a very inexpensive and worthwhile project to get up this year. This coming Tuesday, March 16th, Global Giving will be matching all donations by 30% up to $1000 per donor. Here is our opportunity to get this project funded. COME ON EVERYBODY, LET’S GET PLANTING!!

Links:

• Wild Turkeys w/survey info of Wendy's project
• The LRFF philosophy page
• Dan's Forest Photos-Animal