In 2009, I had the privilege of following the work of the Sea Turtle Conservancy / Caribbean Conservation Corporation in Costa Rica, a pioneer in sea turtle protection in this country.
The organization is dedicated to defending these gentle creatures across the Americas, where they come to nest, particularly in Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, where one of the first research centers was established. Six species of sea turtles (green, black, hawksbill, leatherback, olive ridley, and loggerhead) take turns each season along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica to lay their eggs, facing significant dangers outside the small islets of national parks.
Here, the organization fights to protect turtles and their eggs from the still prevalent poaching and invests in education. However, the efforts to preserve sea turtles and their habitats are complex: since turtles take several decades to reach maturity, effective conservation requires a long-term commitment. The decades of involvement by the STC are starting to bear fruit, and the population of green turtles, in particular, is increasing.
When I met David Godfrey, Executive Director, and Emma Harrison, Scientific Director, the organization was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its establishment in Tortuguero and organizing a “Tour de Turtles”! A “marathon” in the spirit of the Tour de France: 10 turtles representing green, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley species were selected to compete. Chosen from those nesting on the coasts of Costa Rica, Florida, Panama, and El Salvador, they were equipped with radio transmitters to track their migration. These brave participants would help the public discover the threats facing their species. A yellow jersey was planned for the first to cover 2,620 km.
