Sea Turtle Conservation & Environmental Education

Amidst the natural splendor of the Playa Hermosa – Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge, a dedicated team of the Corcovado Foundation staff, volunteers, and SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) personnel have made remarkable strides in sea turtle conservation. Their efforts, meticulously documented up to December 15, 2023, have been instrumental in safeguarding the diverse ecosystems of beaches, wetlands, and forests that are crucial for the survival of marine turtles.

The team's vigilance led to the observation of 1,562 events related to turtle nesting. Within the nursery, 287 nests were relocated, and 785 nests resulted in successful hatchling emergencies both in the nursery and on the beach. Despite the challenges of poaching and predation, with 252 nests stolen and 296 preyed upon, the team's proactive measures ensured a high success rate. Unfortunately, 101 nests were unsuccessful, and there were 128 false crawls, but these figures did not deter the team's resolve.

During 182 days of monitoring, the team recorded significant activity on 108 of those days. The team conducted 473 patrols in Punta Mala and 1,095 in Playa Hermosa, with July and August marking the peak of sea turtle nesting activity.
A testament to the effectiveness of the conservation program is the impressive 81% success rate of hatchling releases from the nursery, with 18,479 out of 22,846 hatchlings making their way to the ocean.
Beyond monitoring, the team's daily contributions were pivotal to the refuge's upkeep. They engaged in cleaning, maintenance, painting, crafting protective baskets for nests, preparing nursery control materials, ecological monitoring of rocky beaches, exhumations, sand replenishment for the new nursery, and beach waste collection.

This narrative celebrates the unwavering dedication and impactful work of the Corcovado Foundation staff, volunteers, and SINAC's team at the Playa Hermosa – Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge. Their collective mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through comprehensive monitoring, nest protection, and environmental conservation has preserved a biodiversity hotspot and set a benchmark for future conservation endeavors.

These achievements are only possible with your continued support and the support of volunteers whose incredible work makes our work possible. We are grateful for your support!