Turtle conservation projects, Costa Rica
| country: | Costa Rica |
| departures: | 2008: 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 7 Dec, 14 Dec, 21 Dec |
| price: | From £595 (1 week) excluding flights, £125 per additional week up to a maximum of 12. We can help arrange flights from the UK. |
| offers: | 15% off Departure Date 7th September 2008 |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
This conservation project presents a great opportunity to work with some of Costa Rica’s most endangered species. You could be working on 1 of 2 specialised marine turtle conservation projects, involved in the day to day preservation on the endangered leatherback turtle species. You could be helping out with the preparation of hatcheries, beach clearance and night patrols. The Leatherback turtles are considered critically endangered, i.e. over 80% of the population lost in the last 10 years! You will receive training on the subject of marine turtles and therefore will be able help with research and data collection. You will also help preserve the endangered species by preparing hatcheries, clearing beaches and conducting nightly beach patrols.
Where you are located will depend on the time of year, the Turtle seasons are on the Caribbean coast mid March to July and on the pacific coast July to March. We work alongside research organisations and you will be assisting in vital research and conservation work to reduce the deaths of these creatures.
This placement won’t appeal to everybody. To get the most out of it you must like the outdoors and be happy without any luxuries. You must be prepared to get involved in any activities required to the best of your ability and be prepared for some physically hard work. During the turtles projects you may be required to take part in night patrols and also work during the day and so this work can be very tiring. You will work six days a week with one day off to be taken any time throughout the week.
Please note, as these are wild animals there is no guarantee that you will see any turtles but it is more than likely you will come into contact with them during your placement.
Where you are located will depend on the time of year, the Turtle seasons are on the Caribbean coast mid March to July and on the pacific coast July to March. We work alongside research organisations and you will be assisting in vital research and conservation work to reduce the deaths of these creatures.
This placement won’t appeal to everybody. To get the most out of it you must like the outdoors and be happy without any luxuries. You must be prepared to get involved in any activities required to the best of your ability and be prepared for some physically hard work. During the turtles projects you may be required to take part in night patrols and also work during the day and so this work can be very tiring. You will work six days a week with one day off to be taken any time throughout the week.
Please note, as these are wild animals there is no guarantee that you will see any turtles but it is more than likely you will come into contact with them during your placement.
travellers' tales
Fabulous, fantastic, astonishing and I cannot even express my thoughts. I am longing to develop the pictures really quickly. My first ever volunteering experience was a true success. I am certainly looking towards a second adventure... (more)
volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
how this holiday makes a difference
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The Turtle seasons are on the Caribbean coast mid March to July and on the pacific coast July to December. We work with local NGOs that are dedicated to volunteer work in protected wilderness areas. Turtle poaching is very common in Costa Rica and before the conservation projects started up the poaching rate was over 95 per cent. However this has now decreased to 10 per cent. In order to maintain the numbers of endangered species they need constant patrols to deter poachers and ensure as many turtles survive as possible and they rely on volunteers to do this.
Volunteers have the full support of a local in-country coordination team, who are fully trained staff that liaise with the locally owned project in-country and are on-hand 24/7. They provide volunteers with a full orientation on arrival. The accommodation is locally owned and run by local staff. By staying in locally-owned accommodation volunteers are doing a great deal to benefit the local economy and cause minimal impact on the environment. Facilities are basic to reduce the impact on the environment and you should be prepared for minimal facilities. |
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