SIX YEARS OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR GREEN TURTLES IN

THE SOUTHERN END OF TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA

Alejandra Carvallo Carrera1, Emma Harrison2
1. Base Manager GVI Jalova base, Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica (tortuguero@gviworld.com), 2. Scientific Director, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Costa Rica

Introduction

Results

Global Vision International (GVI), has been working in partnership with the Sea Turtle
Conservancy (STC) since 2010, as part of STCs sea turtle conservation program which
began in 1955 (Carr et al., 1978) and is now the longest continuous turtle monitoring
program in history. GVIs involvement has allowed the expansion of STCs program
along the Caribbean coast.

Fig. 4 shows the number of green turtle nests recorded each year; there was
considerable annual variation in nesting. Fig. 5 indicates the number of encounters with green turtles during night patrols; though patrol effort differed
between years.

GVI conducts monitoring activities at the southern end of Tortuguero National Park
(TNP), collecting valuable data on green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys
coriacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles. With the support of staff
and volunteers from all over the world, conservation efforts to protect sea turtles
along this stretch of beach are improving. In collaboration with the Costa Rican
Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), we work to preserve both the beach
habitat and the sea turtles that nest there. Tortuguero beach is the most important
nesting site for the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere, and so has
global significance for this species.

Poaching of turtles and nests was reported in all six years of the study. An
increase in poaching was observed during peak nesting season in July and August
(see Fig. 6). Levels of poaching were very low each year, with a maximum of five
nests taken per season (2011 and 2014); in all years poached was less than 2% of
the total number of nests recorded (see Figs. 4 & 7). Unfortunately, females
were also taken from the nesting beach each season (see Fig. 7).

Jaguar predation on marine turtles has been recorded in TNP, but the predation rates are not significantly large enough to influence marine turtle
populations in the area. This predator-prey interaction between jaguar and
green turtles has drawn attention to TNP, giving the opportunity to research
this relationship showing that less than 2% of the green turtle population is
affected. Although the effects on the turtle population are small, the interaction is constant as both species share the same stretch of beach during turtle
nesting season (see Fig.8)

30000

25000

Number of nest

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Fig.8 Green turtle hatchling and a jaguar print in TNP

Fig.4 Number of green turtle nests per year, 20102015.

The blue line depicts annual nest abundance, from daily track surveys
700

600

Fig.1 Study area. Map showing in yellow the four miles of beach monitored by

500

400

Number of turtles

Methods
During green turtle nesting season (June Oct), night patrols and morning surveys
are undertaken along four miles of beach in TNP. In addition to collecting data on
the turtle populations and nesting, our presence on the beach also deters poachers
from taking turtles or eggs out of the National Park.

300

200

100

0
2010

As part of the track survey protocol during green season, data is collected on the
level of nesting activity from the previous night as well as signs of any illegal take,
such as poaching of nesting females or nests, or harpooning of turtles in near-shore
waters (observed from the nesting beach of TNP and recorded).

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Fig.9 Green turtle hatchling making its way to the ocean in TNP
Fig.5 Number of encounters during night patrols 20102015.
Green turtles that have been observed by GVI within the 6 year period

Discussion
3.5
2011

Poaching events

2013

2.5
2014

As the major nesting site for green turtles in the western hemisphere, TNP
has been at the center of conservation efforts for this species for many
years. GVI has recently become involved in monitoring and protection
activities through their collaboration with STC; they have also helped to raise
awareness about threats to sea turtles in the area.

2015

Results indicate that GVIs work over the last six years has helped maintain
low levels of illegal poaching activity at the southern end of TNP; the
presence of volunteers and staff on the beach reduces the opportunities for
poachers to take nests or turtles without being observed. Additional patrols
and monitoring close to Jalova has also provided STC with data to increase
knowledge about green turtle nesting behavior in this area.

1.5

0.5

April

June

July

August

Months with presence of poaching activity

Fig.2 Excavation of green turtle nest. Volunteers observing a nest

excavation done by a staff member in August 2015.

Fig.6 Temporal distribution of poaching 20102015.

Each year is shown as a different colors, and the bars indicate the number

This all helps to ensure the continued existence of the population of green
turtles at one of the most important nesting sites for this endangered
species. GVI will continue its partnership with STC to help conserve green
turtles in TNP in future years.

Acknowledgements

Quantity

The authors are grateful to Global Vision International and Sea Turtle
Conservancy for their support throughout the years to make these conservation efforts possible. We acknowledge all the GVI staff members and
volunteers without whom the data collection would not have been possible.
We would also like to thank MINAE, SINAC and park rangers from Tortuguero National Park.

0
2010

2011

2012

Poached nest

2013

2014

2015

Poached turtle

References

Fig.3 Green turtle track. During a morning survey a green turtle track is
recorded on the beach of TNP.

Fig.7 Annual poaching activity 20102015.

The green line is the number of nests and the blue line the number of turtles
poached each year

Carr, A., M. H. Carr and A. B. Meylan. 1978. The Ecology and Migrations of Sea
Turtles, 7. The West Caribbean Green Turtle Colony. Bull. Amer. Mus. Natur.