Endangered Leatherback turtle conservation

Pacuare beach is a famous nesting site for many Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs.

Illegal egg poaching and hunting for sea turtles, pollution and beach erosion are threatening the survival of the already critically endangered Sea Turtles in Pacuare. This has caused an alarming decline in turtles being born on this beach, in particular the 7.1 km covered by the project, as it has no legal protection whatsoever. Volunteers play a very important role in changing the status of the turtles.

Between March and November volunteers, international research assistants and local research assistants of the community of Pacuare will patrol the beach. Our permits are issued by the Costa Rican Government and all turtle work follows an official protocol, involving tagging, taking biometry and other important data of the nesting female. Volunteers work alongside former poachers , who are now trained in conservation techniques, to carry out the important work and are also responsible for guarding the nests at the hatchery and releasing baby turtles.