PLAYA DRAKE SEA TURTLE PROJECT COSTA RICA
Volunteer Opportunity
Submitted: 2009-05-12 18:40:53
Contact: David Melero melero.david@gmail.com
WWW Link: http://www.corcovadofoundation.org
Period
The campaign is conducted from 1-7-09 to 15-12-09.
Location
The study will be carried out in Drake Bay, in the environs of Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
Background Information
It was seeking volunteers in the field to collaborate in the project: "Conservation and Recovery of Sea Turtle Playa Drake". It is a draft novel confronting their forth season thanks to the determination of Foundation Corcovado, an organization non-profit dedicated to conservation of natural resources. The National Park Corcovado retains the last portion of the tropical rainforest Mesoamerican peaceful and therein are represented the last bastions unchanged from tropical forest humid peaceful throughout the Americas. With 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 4000 has, Corcovado is considered one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity in the world. In the study area there are four species of sea turtles. However we have identified and protect just nests of olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) to the date.
Duties
The program is born with the aim of recovering and saving of the extinction a population of marine turtles in serious declivity. The results later three seasons hopeful are given to the drastic reduction of the illegal egg sacking and the commitment of a number in increase of local people with the monitoring program. Among the activities to develop include:
- Help construct a hatchery to monitoring eggs and baby turtles.
- Performing beach walks to find nesting turtles and help to protect them from illegal extraction and predators (4-6h depending on the availability of volunteers).
- Move nests to the hatchery and prepare the sand to receive such nest.
- Track and nest survey through patrols beach daily.
- Gather data on the beach.
- Mark turtles that are nesting.
- 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 to over the three kilometres and a half of beach located between the mouth of the river Drake and Ganadito Point. Your access will be through boat is required to cross a small lagoon located between the camp and the beach. His difficult access to foot makes this beach one place almost virgin.
Requirements
During the first days it will receive a full training on the draft, biology of turtles and methodology of field. It requires a good physical condition because it is necessary to give long walks (up to 10 km) in damp conditions and much heat. Also you should be friendly and communicative with ability to work in group. Any health problem must communicate before making any application.
Requirements:
-Increased of 18 years
-Have basic knowledge of Spanish/English
-Good physical condition and predisposition to work in tropical climate.
Benefits/Costs
The minimum stay will be of a week with the regime following costs with a cost of 15 dollars per day in case of surpassing the two weeks. This cost include food and lodging in the “turtle camp“ that serves as station the project and where the rest of the staff of the project would lodge. The land that occupies the turtle camp is rented by the local community for own use of the project and that is located in front of the work beach. The area has zone of camping optional, baths and cooks communitarian. The remaining money will serve to withstand the season and cover the costs of the assignment of space that the community provides to the project.
Additional Contact Information
Francisco Delgado francisco@corcovadofoundation.org