Wildlife Conservation Costa Rica Project #61381

Sea Turtle Rescue and Conservation in Playa Grande

Project Report | Nov 19, 2024
Conservation focus continues in Playa Grande

By Costa Rica Team | Project Team

Thank you for your continued support of our marine turtle conservation efforts. Your generosity helps protect these incredible creatures and supports sustainable community-based conservation initiatives in Cahuita.

Playa Grande in Cahuita is a critical habitat for three species of marine turtles: the critically endangered Hawksbill and Leatherbacks, and the endangered Caribbean Green turtles. These species face significant threats that put their survival at risk. Hunting, poaching, plastic pollution, coastal development, and unsustainable fishing practices have drastically reduced their populations. Without human intervention, less than 40% of hatchlings survive to adulthood.

To address these challenges, we collaborate with Cahuita Turtle Rescue, a local organization dedicated to protecting marine turtles and their habitats. Together, we lead a variety of conservation initiatives, including:

Beach cleanups to reduce plastic pollution and create safe nesting environments.
Nest harvesting to ensure eggs are protected from predators and poachers.
Turtle releases to give hatchlings the best chance of survival.
Educational campaigns to raise awareness and foster community involvement in conservation efforts.

In addition to hands-on activities, Cahuita Turtle Rescue works closely with the local community to build long-term strategies for wildlife protection. This community-driven approach ensures that conservation efforts are sustainable and have a lasting impact.

We have continued contributing to data collection on nesting turtles, an essential component of conservation research. By monitoring nesting patterns and hatchling success rates, we can better understand the challenges facing these species and adapt our strategies accordingly.

Our efforts also extend beyond research. We work with local teams to emphasize community-based conservation through education and advocacy. Workshops, school programs, and public campaigns have been instrumental in spreading the message of turtle protection and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

Beach cleanups remain part of our initiatives, helping to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. These events not only improve the physical environment but also engage volunteers and residents in meaningful conservation work.

Looking ahead, your continued support will play a vital role in enabling this project to thrive. Donations will help fund essential research equipment, educational resources, and the development of conservation action plans. These tools are crucial for protecting marine turtles and preserving the biodiversity of Playa Grande.

Your contribution has a direct and lasting impact, empowering us to safeguard marine turtles and support local communities in their conservation efforts. We are immensely grateful for your generosity and dedication to this cause.

Thank you for being a part of this important work. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the next quarter as we continue striving to make a positive difference.

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May 24, 2024
Acknowledging World Turtle Day

By Kekoldi Conservation Team | Kekoldi team

This week on 23rd May, we acknowledged World Turtle Day.

World Turtle Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the protection and conservation of turtles and their disappearing habitats around the world. It highlights the critical role turtles play in our ecosystems and the urgent need to address the threats they face, such as habitat destruction, illegal trade, and pollution.

On the eve of World Turtle Day, our team saw a female leatherback during a night survey. This particular female had a carapace length of 152cm and laid 78 eggs. The eggs were taken back to the nursery by the team in order to hatch safely without risk of being poached.

This is just one example of how our project team have taken action.

The turtles in the region face a significant risk of extinction due to threats. Less than 40% of hatchlings survive without human intervention.

Managing the nursery requires work and resources for example our team take sand from the nursery to the beach. New sand is then collected, cleaned ready to be used in the incubators. Ensuring the sand is filtered and cleaned gives the eggs an increased chance of hatching by reducing possibility of infection. Sand is very important to the ecosystem, especially for sea turtles!

We partner with Cahuita Turtle Rescue on community-driven conservation initiatives such as beach cleanups, nest harvesting, turtle releases, and educational campaigns. Cahuita Turtle Rescue collaborates closely with the local community to protect native wildlife and work towards the safety of marine turtles.

Your continued support will help us to research equipment and educational resources to allow this project continue to make a positive impact.

We are keen to increase the impact of our work and are thereforee planing some fundraisers in the near future so we can expand our resources to support the work of our partners. You will hear more about our fundraiser soon1

Thanks for your contributions, your support is appreciated.

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Jan 22, 2024
Collaborative conservation efforts

By Costa Rica Team | Project Team

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