Turtle conservation

“The little dudes are just eggs, we leave 'em on a beach to hatch, and then, coo-coo-cachoo, they find their way back to the big ol' blue.” Crush the turtle in Finding Nemo isn’t wrong when he eloquently sums up the turtle breeding process; however in reality things aren’t quite so simple. Human encroachment onto beaches traditionally used by turtles can disrupt nests or discourage females from laying their eggs. Bright lights from beachfront hotels, towns and resorts can confuse hatchlings and send them in the opposite direction to the ocean – or prevent the females from laying eggs in the first place. At sea, natural predators combine with destructive industrial fishing and poaching – for their eggs, meat, skin and shells – and all the while habitats are threatened by global climate change.

The result? Nearly all of the world’s sea turtle species are classified as endangered. Turtle conservation projects focus their work on protecting nesting sites and ensuring a greater number of young hatchlings make it back into the ocean alive. Only 15% of turtle eggs left in wild nests will hatch and make it into the sea (fewer on unprotected beaches), while 80% of those moved to responsible, effective hatcheries will reach the ocean. And with only one in 1,000 hatchlings estimated to make it to adulthood, it’s vital that we ensure as many as possible reach the ocean to start their journey through life.

On some projects, yes. While you are expected to work hard, the tasks assigned to you are relatively simple in nature and easy to pick up. Turtle conservation projects are one of the best ways for budding young conservationists to get hands-on and still make a genuine, useful contribution to the ongoing work. Costa Rica is generally the best bet for families – with projects welcoming children as young as five years old – and the country itself offers excellent tourist infrastructure and a relaxed, pura vida – clean living – vibe.

If you do bring your kids, you’ll need to be aware that a lot of the work – beach patrols in particular – is undertaken at night and that daytime temperatures can be hot and humid. At the same time projects that welcome children will take young volunteers’ ages into account and work closely with your family to create a schedule that doesn’t interrupt your children’s sleep patterns too much.

Your volunteer specialist will have close links with the local partners running their turtle conservation projects and will be able to advise as to which are most suitable for young children, and where they can offer your family the best support.

In Costa Rica turtle conservation projects run from early July to mid-December – the months when female turtles arrive on the Pacific coast beaches to lay their eggs. Adult turtles can generally be seen throughout this period, while the babies themselves start hatching from mid-August onwards. Towards the latter part of the season you’re likely to see more hatchlings than larger female adults. During August to October you can expect hot and humid weather (temperatures in the high 20°C to 30°C) with sunny mornings and wet afternoons, and while temperatures remain high in November and December, the weather will be drier – although rain can still occur. In Mexico, projects in Baja California take place in March, which coincides with the breeding season for thousands of gray whales, while in Belize you’ll need to travel in August to catch the turtle nesting season. Conservation projects in the Seychelles are open year-round, with trade winds bringing rain from November to March, and dry, but breezy conditions from May to September. Travel in October for little wind, calm seas, tip-top underwater visibility and the start of the turtle nesting season.