Punta Pargos Marine Turtle Conservation Project
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Costa Rica
Organization / Project Name: Punta Pargos Marine Turtle Conservation Project
Website: https://seaturtlesforever.org/programs/costa-rica/
Email: marc@seaturtlesforever.org
Description: Sea Turtles Forever (STF) in Punta Pargos, Costa Rica promotes conservation of endangered Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Olive Ridley sea turtles during peak nesting season by: 1. Contracting local residents (including former poachers) and recruiting volunteers to conduct nightly patrols to protect turtle eggs from poachers. 2. Relocating nests to safe locations, and counting and measuring eggs and hatchlings. 3. Measuring and tagging nesting females to collect population, nesting, and movement information. 4. Collecting and sharing data on nesting turtles to increase conservation of these populations and their nesting habitat. 5. Providing conservation programs in local schools and communities.
Species of focus: Olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Volunteer program: Yes
Tourist activities (Y/N): No
Primary Areas of Work: Environmental education/community outreach, Community development, Nesting beach monitoring
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/SeaTurtlesForever/