Uncategorized | Reserva Playa Tortuga

RPT begins a research project on Rays in the Térraba river

admin — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 22:40:08 +0000

On February 2022 the first field task of the projects called “Identification and distribution of Rays populations in the Térraba River, Costa Rica” were carried out.

This initiative financed by “beca azul” de Mision Tiburon aims to learn about the distribution of stingray populations, estimate their population structure and involve volunteers and local community members on the monitoring activities.

The contribution of this study will be the construction of baseline that allows the generation of management and conservation strategies for rays in this important ecosystem such as the Térraba river- pointed out Graciela Pulido, Project Manager of this
initiative.

The Térraba River is the largest river in Costa Rica and its mangrove swamp offers shelter and nursery areas to hundreds of fish species, including sharks and rays. Some of these are threatened and the generation of basic information is the first step to move towards protection. Knowing the populations of rays and their distribution in the wetland is key to understanding their condition both in the wetland and in the ocean, as well as the development of future conservation strategies.

Beach Clean-Up Scheduled!

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 00:10:53 +0000

Los esperamos este Sábado a las 8:00 am en RPT para iniciar la en la Limpieza de Playa Tortuga.

Come and join us this coming saturday (August 20) at 8:00 am for the Beach Clean Up.

Recent Beach Report

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 02:33:00 +0000

At the end of July, an adult green turtle was found dead on Playa Tortuga. It was tagged, so Oscar was able to find out that this turtle had been at Isabela Island in 2011. Isabela Island is the largest island of the Galápagos, off of Ecuador. This is more than 1,000 kilometers from Costa Rica. This turtle was reported to have laid two nests there at that time.

Unfortunately, there is no further information on this turtle since 2011, nor do we know what caused it’s death. It is a bit early for the green turtles to nest (they start nesting in September in the Pacific), though we do know the green turtles tend to be found in the area of Puerto Jimenez to eat before nesting.

However, this does demonstrate the importance and usefulness of tagging turtles, as it gives us a glimpse into how far turtles will travel.

Acerca de la tortuga verde muerta en playa tortuga , fue marcada en la isla isabela en ecuador en 2011, ahí le registraron dos nidos y no sabían más de ella hasta hoy. Más de 1000km de costa rica.

2016 Turtle Season Begins!

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 02:08:40 +0000

What does start the turtle season mean?

It means we need more coffee for our staff and volunteers on night patrols!

Turtle season for Playa Tortuga officially started last month (July). We built the beach hatchery, which means digging, moving, and sifting A LOT of beach sand. This is done to help ensure the beach sand in our hatchery is free from human debris and trash, which, unfortunately, does accumulate on our beach.

After the hatchery was finished, we went to work building the beach camp. This is the shelter used by our staff and volunteers while out on night patrols and guarding the hatchery. Volunteers are assigned shifts to be on patrol, walk the beach and watch for turtles arriving to lay their nests.

Turtle season runs through the end of December, and we will be posting updates all season long. We have still have space for volunteers to join us. Patrol the beach, tag turtles, guard the hatchery, and help with the release of the baby turtles when they hatch! Click here for more info.

Farewell thoughts from one of our interns

admin — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 18:11:54 +0000

Rochelle on the “Tarzan Swing” at a nearby Zip Line Tour

The countdown has begun. After five months of staying at Reserva Playa Tortuga to almost going home to the normal life. Only two more weeks and then this big adventure has come to an end. I can’t believe that my time here went so fast. I’ve met so many new people and had so many small adventures in this one really big adventure. I’ve learned how to dive and explored so many places. I’ve seen Caiman and Crocodiles from close by and seen so many new species. There are so many possibilities here in the area. I can definitely say that my time here will stay with me forever. But before I’m going home I’m getting a visit from two important people. People I haven’t seen in those five months and on which I’m waiting now: my parents. I’ve got their schedule planned full. I’m going on my first dive on Caño Island and they are going to snorkel. Next to that I’m going to show them every beautiful spot here in the South of Costa Rica.

-Rochelle van Scheijndel

World Sea Turtle Day

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 15:50:33 +0000

Did you know that June 16th is the official World Sea Turtle Day?

It was chosen to be this particular day because it is the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, founder of the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Sea turtles have been swimming in the oceans for hundreds of millions of years. But today they are in danger due to ocean and beach pollution, as well as poaching threats.

Take a moment to learn a few facts and consider coming to the Reserva as a volunteer!

Making Headlines

admin — Sun, 29 May 2016 06:35:55 +0000

RPT’s sea turtle program in the news!

Click the link below to read the full article on The Costa Rica News.

http://thecostaricanews.com/learn/sea-turtle-rescuing-why-just-one/

36th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium in Peru

admin — Sun, 29 May 2016 06:28:38 +0000

Oscar Brenes, Director of RPT, along with Adrián Bonilla Salazar, Marine Biologist, attended the 36th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation in Peru.

It was held from 29 Feb – 04 Mar 2016 at the Maria Angola Convention Center Lima, Perú.

Oscar and Adrián presented on the Reserve’s research findings over the past years.