For Olive ridleys, a total of 127 nests were found in Playa Tortuga, 157 in Playa Hermosa, 7 in Dominical and one nest from Playa Ventanas, totaling 291 nests. Only 2 nests from the green sea turtles and 2 hawksbill nests were found in Playa Hermosa this season.

Including all the four beaches, nearly 20,000 turtles were released this season! The year was very successful in terms of the number of Olive ridley nests and releases. Sadly, in the case of the green ones, we had the findings of many dead adult individuals on the beaches of the Osa and the central zone of the South Pacific, probably due to red tides. Possibly, this affected the nesting of this species on our beaches this season – said Cyrielle Mayer, RPT Marine Biologist.

We appreciate both local and international volunteers who supported the work throughout this season. As well as the personnel of the RPT who remained alert and coordinated the necessary actions to carry out a management under scientific criteria, with the important participation and collaboration of the local community.

THANK YOU ALL!! SEE YOU NEXT SEASON!

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.

Normally, olive ridley turtles arrive in this sector and recently there were also historical records of Pacific green turtles, so now a new species is added!

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests on both the Caribbean and Pacific beaches of Costa Rica (mostly on the Osa peninsula) but its current populations are extremely small, and it is an endangered species mainly due to these threats :

the extraction of their nests

the hunt for meat

use of tortoiseshell from its shell

We look forward to continuing the good news during the 2021 turtle season. We appreciate the support of the Costa Ballena Lifeguard, park rangers, staff and volunteers from RPT and the community. And we remind you that those who wish to collaborate with night or morning monitoring at Playa Tortuga or Playa Hermosa can write to rptojochal@gmail.com or call 21013221

Before the sun rose over the mountain, the team of local volunteers and members of RPT were ready to tour the beach.Around 5:00 am one of them spotted a turtle footprint and that was how all were amazed to contemplate and witness the first nesting record of a Pacific Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Playa Hermosa.They remained silent and calm in front of such a wonderful experience, so as not to interrupt the nesting process. The fact that they appeared during the day called a lot of attention, since according to the director of RPT, they are quite shy.

Some interesting facts about the Pacific Green Turtle:

• It is a species declared in danger of extinction and the populations of the Eastern Pacific are highly threatened and their numbers are low.
• Many call it Black Turtle since it has a darker coloration than those of the Caribbean.
• They are the second largest turtles in terms of size
• The length of the shell reaches about 89 cm
• They can weigh more than 100 kilos
• They reach their sexual maturity between 25 and 35 years
• It is believed that they can live to be 70 years old
• The biggest threats are: poaching and hunting of nests, the loss of nesting habitats and pollution of the oceans.

It seems important to us to make a call to the neighbors who frequent this beach, since although one part has been committed to the conservation of these species, on the other hand there is misinformation regarding the care that the turtle habitats should have, as is the case of Playa Hermosa.

Although it is a public beach, we must be respectful with the animals that use these same spaces, even more so when it comes to endangered species, so we call to keep pets controlled or on a leash, and not to leave burning fires, since these could be factors that would affect the nesting of a Turtle.We invite the community to continue working together, especially as it has been done this year.

Photos by Felipe Thomas

The authorized regions or countries are reviewed periodically. The list in effect as of August 19 is as follows:
 

• THE EUROPEAN UNION, SCHENGEN ZONE, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM: for flights from the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom, for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom.
• CANADA: for flights from Canada for citizens and residents of Canada and for citizens and residents of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the United Kingdom.
• SOUTH AMERICA: for flights from Uruguay for citizens and residents of Uruguay.
• ASIA: for flights from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China for citizens and residents of Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China.
• OCEANIA: for flights from Australia and New Zealand for citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand.
• As of September 1: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Residents of six states): New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut.

Requirements to enter Costa Rica:  

• Complete the electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr.
• RT-PCR diagnostic test with a negative result; the sample must have been taken within 48 hours of travel to Costa Rica.
• Passengers coming from the United States of America must prove through their driver’s license that they live in one of the six authorized states.
• Traveler’s Medical Insurance – international or purchased in Costa Rica.

Local insurance policies authorized for travelers are currently available through the National Insurance Institute (INS – Instituto Nacional de Seguros) www.grupoins.com/seguroparaviajeros and by insurance company Sagicor www.sagicor.cr/seguro_para_turistas/.

For international insurance policies, tourists must request a certification from their insurance company, issued in English or Spanish, verifying at least three conditions:

• Effectiveness of the policy during the visit to Costa Rica.
• Guaranteed coverage of medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with the pandemic COVID-19 disease while in Costa Rica, for at least USD $50,000 (fifty thousand United States Dollars).
• Includes minimum coverage of USD $2,000 for lodging expenses issues due to the pandemic.

Passengers who fail to comply with these requirements may not enter the country.

Upon landing in Costa Rican territory, travelers must wear face protection and comply with the strict protocols of the air terminal with regard to physical distancing, disinfection of carpets, taking temperature readings, and must follow any other sanitary instructions.

Opening to Private Flights

As of September 1, private flights from the United States will also be allowed to enter Costa Rica, given that their size and nature means they present a much lower epidemiological risk.

The same requirements as set forth above, shall be applicable to persons on private flights. In the event that they come from a state or country that is not authorized, they shall be subject to an exception procedure and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Gradual Maritime Opening

In compliance with the same entry requirements required by Costa Rica since last August 1, private yachts may also enter the country as of September 1. If passengers do not carry a negative PCR test, or if they sailed from a city or port that has not been authorized to date, they will receive a health quarantine order, which will discount the number of days on the high seas, counting from the last port departure date recorded in the yacht’s log.

Where can I find updated official information on the situation of COVID-19 in Costa Rica?

You can stay informed at the following links:

Ministry of Health:

https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/centro-de-prensa/noticias/741-noticias-2020/1725-situacion-nacional-covid-19

Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT):

https://www.ict.go.cr/en/institutional-services/coronavirus-support-material-tourism-sector.html

Presidency of the Republic:

https://www.presidencia.go.cr/noticias/

Migration Office:

https://www.migracion.go.cr/

Juan Santamaría International Airport:

https://sjoairport.com/en

Daniel Oduber International Airport (Liberia International Airport):

https://lircr.com/en/

Thanks to this connection between the Reserve and the community, in these difficult times, help was immediate: our good neighbors have jumped on the scene and selflessly offered their time and energy so that the Reserve continued to carry out its monitoring.

Thus, several neighbors have joined the monitoring of monkeys, reforestation and morning walks while waiting for the arrival of the first turtles to Playa Tortuga.

This support from our friends is the main objective of our organization, what we call “participatory science”. Our vision of creating science at the service of the community made the community serve science.

If you want to be part of our local volunteer team write to rptojochal@gmail.com

Please have a look at this article that shares very interesting facts about the sea turtles population and what are the most common factors that are threatening them.

The TOP 7 Volunteer Projects in Sea Turtle Conservation

Here’s the extract:

1. Playa Tortuga Conservation Volunteer Project, Costa Rica

“Our visit to the Playa Tortuga project was fantastic. Oscar and all the staff were great, and we were able to be involved with all the projects currently going on at the reserve.” – The Chicco Family, July 2019

Volunteering at this project in Costa Rica will expose you to life at a biological research station in a tropical rainforest reserve. Volunteers will take part in sea turtle research, crocodile monitoring, mammal surveys, tree boa studies, environmental education and butterfly garden projects all year round.

Why this project made our list; This research project in Costa Rica experienced another great year with volunteers in 2019, receiving lots of brilliant feedback from solo travellers and families alike. They manage to accommodate everyone on their journey to this biodiversity hotspot of Central America, where volunteers love that they have the opportunity to help actively with the scientific and conservation-related research on a broad range of animals.

Click here to see the full article. 

This activity will take place in the northern part of Tortuga Beach, from 8:00 am to 10:30 am. The meeting point will be on the north side, directly on the beach.

?We will offer free transportation (round trip) from Escuela Tortuga to the north area of Playa Tortuga.

What to bring?
 Water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent.
To collect inorganic wastes bring: reusable gloves, reusable bags, OR BETTER STILL: your own reusable plastic bucket. Also bring your reusable glass for sodas.

We are waiting for you this Saturday, to contribute to the environment and share with your community !!!

Invite: Blue Flag Committee Playa Tortuga with the participation of the Blue Flag Committee – Ojochal Community and Reserva Playa Tortuga