19/04/2005 - WWF Central
America works hard to save the endangered
Pacific leatherback turtle in Junquillal Beach,
Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This community-based
conservation project concentrates on the social
abatement of egg poaching.
“The ultimate aim is that the community values
the turtles more alive than dead and that
it benefits from its own conservation measures,”
said Carlos Drews, coordinator of the project.
Junquillal beach in the Costa Rican Pacific
region was recently discovered to be one of
the most important nesting sites of leatherbacks
in the country. However, Junquillal Beach
is not part of the protected areas system
of Costa Rica. Consequently, the lack of patrols
by government authorities has led to rampant
levels of illegal egg harvesting, which sometimes
comprises up to 75% of all leatherback nests
on that beach.
WWF´s project aims to reduce significantly
the number of poached leatherback nests. The
strategy consists of generating alternative
income sources to the local community and
increasing awareness about the urgency to
protect this species.
Activities of the project involve community
members in the monitoring of beaches, and
the construction and operation of a sea turtle
hatchery, where eggs are brought in to be
protected until the release of the baby turtles.
WWF also promotes ecotourism. Community members
will be trained as naturalist tour guides,
and they will also be trained in the production
and marketing of handicrafts. Environmental
education is an important element of the project,
too.
A Luxembourg based sponsor of this project,
Sustainable Forestry Management, illustrates
that commitment with environmental health
by certified timber traders can include species
conservation in the marine realm.
