Pacific Sea Turtle Programme, Costa Rica
This project is located in Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. The rapid disappearance of sea turtles on the beaches is the reason why this project was initiated in 2006. The low nesting numbers of the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivácea) raised the alarm. Pacific sea turtle populations are critically endangered throughout the world, and this project is working hard to conserve and protect this species in this part of Costa Rica.
Working as a volunteer, you will be forming part of a team of investigators responsible for developing the conservation programme in Drake Bay and monitoring the population of marine turtles that nests there between July and December each year.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by Panama on the East and Nicaragua on the West. It is a country of staggering beauty, immense variety of wildlife, active and dormant volcanoes, mountains with extensive trail systems, cloudforest and rainforest, Pacific and Caribbean beaches, indigenous groups and loads more. It is also a very peaceful country with one of the highest ratings for "happiness" amongst its nationals in the world! This project is located in the small community of El Progreso and the beaches where the sea turtles are monitored are Drake Beach and Ganado Beach, in the Osa Peninsula, South-eastern Costa Rica on the Pacific coast. Click here to view map.
Playa Drake
The beaches are accessible mainly by boat and foot, as the roads are impassable in the rainy season. It is the anonymity of El Progreso and absence of tourists on Drake Beach that enables the project to work towards conserving the population of nesting turtles. Drake Bay itself is also home to 25 dolphin and whale species, where the northern and southern humpback whales come to calf. Neighbouring Corcovado National Park; home to more than 500 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, 367 species of birds, 40 species of freshwater fish, 117 amphibians and reptiles, more than 150 species of orchids and more than 6000 species of insects documented in an area of only 425 km2; is considered one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity in the world.
The Sea Turtle Project
In the study area there are four species of sea turtles. We have identified and protect the nests of the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) although the presence of Pacific Green (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) turtles has been recorded too. Between 150 and 250 Olive Ridley turtles arrive every season at the 3.6 km Drake Beach. The scientific mission of the project is to generate the data necessary to support the conservation of this nesting population. Volunteers will gain experience in numerous aspects of the investigation and conservation of sea turtles.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers are needed from July to December for 2 to 12 weeks in duration, every year.
Volunteers are needed to take part in:
- Performing night surveys on the beach to find nesting turtles and helping to protect them from illegal extraction and predators (4-6h depending on the availability of volunteers).
- Moving nests to the hatchery and preparing the sand to receive such nest.
- Monitoring eggs and baby turtles.
- Track and nest surveying through patrols on beach daily.
- Tagging female turtles.
- Collecting biometric data on the beach.
- Releasing baby turtles into the ocean.
- Excavation (exhumations)
- Maintenance of hatchery, beach and camp.
Helping with local conservation education projects.
The work will be carried out over the 3.6 kilometre beach, located between the mouth of the River Drake and Punta Ganadito. Access to the beach will be via boat, to cross the small lagoon located between the camp and the beach. The difficult access on foot enables the beach to remain almost virgin.
Upon arrival, you will receive full training on the programme, on the biology of turtles and the methodology of the field work. You will be working under the direct supervision of a Scientific Supervisor throughout your time on the project.
Dates
You can join for 2 weeks up to 12 weeks on any of the dates below:
2012 Dates
16 to 30 July
30 July to 13 August
13 to 27 August
27 August to 10 September
10 to 24 September
24 September to 8 October
8 to 22 October
22 October to 5 November
5 to 19 November
19 November to 3 December
Please email: Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for any questions with regards to dates, durations etc.
Food & Accommodation
Volunteers live in the community of El Progreso, either in a shared room in the volunteer house at the main camp; or in a ‘home-stay’ in the house of a member of the community, where you would have either a room of your own, or one shared with another volunteer. Three meals per day will be provided by your homestay host. For those volunteers staying at the main camp, lunches and dinners for the whole team are served in the communal dining area at 12:00 and 18:00, respectively. A rotation system is in place so that all volunteers get a chance to cook, and a similar system is in place for duties such as cleaning the camp and preparing the patrol equipment. The communal space at the main camp also includes a chill-out area equipped with hammocks.
Amenities
It is important to highlight that El Progreso is a remote place where many of the amenities that you might be used to are not readily available. The main camp and home-stay houses are simple but typical of rural Costa Rica and do not have hot running water. Electricity is available along with free (but limited) internet access in the main camp. Bicycles are available for transfer to and from the beach, although at times it will be necessary to walk. Public landline telephones have only recently reached El Progreso but may be used, when available, by volunteers.
Working Conditions & Requirements
All volunteers should be at least 18 yrs old age. English is required and Spanish is very helpful, even if basic, but a small amount of Spanish would go a long way. A strong interest in conservation is required, as is good team work spirit and flexibility. You should also be in good health and fit - you need to be able to work 2-3 nights per week (rest the next day) and walk several kilometres on soft sand. The work at the project can be extremely tough and is not necessarily for everybody. Weather conditions can be extreme, especially since the nesting season coincides with the rainy season, with heavy rainfall and storms often a daily occurrence (rainy season = turtle season!). The majority of the work is nocturnal and it will be necessary to adjust to sleeping in the daytime, often enduring high temperatures and humidity. The way of life is rustic, but the environment is full of jaw-dropping natural beauty and extraordinary biodiversity. After a little time at the project you will no doubt find yourself adjusting to the life of a local.
You will be allocated a free day every week, during which time you may decide to take a guided tour of the neighbouring Corcovado National Park, the Isla de Caño Marine Reserve, or one of many other local sights, or simply to use the day to rest at the camp. During the other six days of the week, it is expected that you will be fully engaged with the work schedule. Personnel at the program are happy to help volunteers to organize tours and other activities to pursue, and they strive to offer ethical eco-tours and excursions that benefit the local community. However, it is important to note that they are not a tourism agency, and due to limited resources they cannot offer guarantees that planned activities will take place.
Costs
The cost if you live at the main camp for 1 week is £240, 2 weeks is £330, 3 weeks is £420, and 4 weeks is £488, 5 weeks is £544, 6 weeks is £623 and 12 weeks is £1096. The cost is you live in a homestay for 1 week is £270, 2 weeks is £388, 3 weeks is £505, 4 weeks is £623 and up to 12 weeks is £1570. You may also combine 1 week in the main camp and 1 week in a homestay if you wish. Please email Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for prices of other durations and any other questions. This cost includes three meals a day, accommodation, snacks for patrols, equipment (for patrols), guide during the volunteering, back up and support. Airfare and transportation to the project, lodging in San Jose, travel/medical insurance and personal expenses are not included in the cost. It is mandatory for you to take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of the project.
How to get there?
El Progreso is a small and relatively remote coastal town, but it may be accessed by road, boat or light aircraft. Whichever travel option you choose, all journeys leave San José in the morning. Travel by bus and boat is the cheapest option; however the journey typically takes around 11 hours, whereas the flight from San José takes just 40 minutes. Please email Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com for more specifics. International flights to San José from Europe are usually either with American Airlines via Miami or with Iberia via Spain. Flying with Condor via Frankfurt is also an economical option. Please remember not to look for San Jose in California, it is San José International Airport (Juan Santamaria) - code SJO.
To Apply for the Pacific Sea Turtle Programme
If you are interested in joining this project, you will need to fill out the online application form – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form with your deposit of £150. If for some reason, your application is declined, we will reimburse this deposit fully. However for those who are accepted, you will be required to pay the final balance 1 month before arrival. Once we have confirmed your place, you will receive a detailed information package on the programme background and scientific objectives, your role as a volunteer, the work you will do, suggested items to bring, how to travel there etc. Upon arrival at the project, all volunteers are asked to sign a Code of Conduct document.
