Saving the Giant Leatherback Turtle

From mid March to early June you can join anti-poaching patrols on the Caribbean coast of Panama as part of a project coordinated in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust.  This project is based on the northern most shores of the Caribbean coast of Panama, close to the Costa Rica border.  This is a beautiful area with dozens of small islands of which some are prime turtle nesting beaches.  Alas, not only is there egg poaching in the area, but Giant Leatherback Turtles are killed for their meat and to open them up to take out more eggs than they lay in a single landing.  This anti-poaching project in the Bocas Archipelago has eliminated these killings on two of their most important egg-laying beaches.  The main project area is on a narrow strip of beach between the Caribbean Sea and a brackish canal which separates it from the mainland.  The second centre is on a long sandy beach within the idyllic Bastimentos Island National Park.

Aims of the Project
The Giant Leatherback Turtle is under threat both at sea and on land when females come to lay their eggs.  At sea, the threat is with long line and drift net fishing where turtles are caught as bycatch and most often drown.  They are not usually brought back to port but may be found dead or dying at sea or along the coast.  Another threat comes from ingesting stray plastic bags which the turtles mistake for jelly fish: their main food source.

The main threat to leatherbacks on land is through the stealing of their eggs for sale as a ‘poor man’s viagra’.  There is no medical evidence whatsoever to support the claim that their eggs should have a viagra type effect, but regardless of this they can be found on sale in bars.  Leatherbacks landing in Panama face another danger that does not exist in neighbouring countries and that is that they are often killed for their meat.  In most countries, people have found the meat of the leatherback unappetizing, but in Panama they are still killed in great numbers, except where our patrols have stopped this. 

Your role as a volunteer
By joining these patrols, you will be helping to save dozens of pregnant female leatherbacks and thousands of baby turtles which would otherwise never have hatched.  Without permission, it is illegal to be on a turtle nesting beach at night in Panama, but the problem is the lack of manpower within the national parks service to maintain a presence at key locations and discourage poachers from the area.   Since this project began in 2003, not a single turtle has been killed on the beaches this project patrols and only a couple of nests each season are lost to poachers or stray dogs.  In addition to anti-poaching patrols, you will assist researchers in identifying turtles by their tags, or adding tags where none currently exist.  You will also assist in measuring the female turtles and where nests are considered at risk, you will need to dig up the eggs and transfer them carefully to a safe hatchery.

The skills you need
Relatively fit with a positive motivated attitude.  No previous training or special skills required.

Opportunities to Explore
From both project locations you can explore this island archipelago which has good snorkeling, diving and surfing.  There are also areas of good rainforest, notably on Bastimentos Island where there are monkeys and many species of colourful poison arrow frogs.  If you have time before and after the project, the nearby Amistad National Park ranges from lowland rainforest to cloud forests cut by waterfalls and rivers.  Aqua-Firma can also arrange a whole host of tailor made travel opportunities for you in Costa Rica and southern Panama.

What to bring
Raincoat, insect repellent, sun screen, water bottle, bathing suit, sun glasses, lightweight easy-dry clothing, a torch, long sleeve t-shirts and long trousers.  Shoes or boots suitable for walking on soft sand.

Accommodation
This is a volunteer project, not a holiday, so the accommodation we use is basic but functional.  Accommodation at the main project centre is a converted house consisting of bunked sleeping, shared toilets and showers, and a ground level dining and living area protected on all sides by mosquito netting and cooled by sea breezes.  Accommodation on Bastimentos Island is considerably more basic consisting of a wooden hut where you can basically camp and share cooking duties.

Project Costs
2 weeks £810
5 weeks £1,170
10 weeks £1,690

What’s included
Meals and accommodation during the project.   
Contributions to project.     
Protector /Guardian membership of Rainforest Concern.  
Orientation briefing.
We will also offset the Carbon Emissions of your flights via the Rainforest4Climate project

What’s not included
Flights and travel.
Insurance.
Visa Costs 

Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell, Peter Bennett, Rainforest Concern, John Denham, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Charlotte Caffrey