socalsteph

My husband, son and I are headed off to Costa Rica in late October. I have just learned that we'll be there in prime season for viewing the Leatherback turtles nesting at Playa Grande. I have always been fascinated with turtles and would love to go see this. However, I wonder if these turtle tours are contributing to the decrease in the leatherback population. From what I understand there are about 1/3 the number of turtles nesting this year than there were 5 years ago. If the tours are causing them to either not come ashore, or come ashore and then leave in confusion or fear then I will skip the turtle tours all together. Does anyone know anything about this? Has the turtle population dwindled for other reasons? Do the tours seem to bother them? Any information you have to help me make my decision would be very helpful. Our itinerary hasn't been planned yet and I was going to base it around seeing the turtles but am willing to make changes.
Thanks!

carolll

This is such a good question...I think there has been a long term problem with locals who take the turtle eggs from the sand nests. The government has entered into a program to reduce the number of eggs stolen. That may be the source of the reductions. Very very few baby turtles make it all the way from the sand nest into the sea; birds await their birth and arrival on the sand and then simply cart them off.
We, and other tourists, have stood guard during a migration, but indeed that is a drop in the bucket, so to speak!
Let me refer you to Christopher Baker's "Costa Rica Handbook" in which he discusses relevant issues.
Carol L

rogerd

The turtle population is being decimated in Nicaragua. While the problem still exists in Costa Rica, it has been minimized by employing locals to work the tours and protect the nesting areas instead of poaching.

Nicaragua needs to implement this type of business as well to provide an alternative to locals. This would minimize the devastation.

Roger
http://fun-costa-rica-vacations.com

melshells

I too am going to Costa Rica in Oct/ Nov specifically to see turtle nesting, and Playa Grande is on my itinerary. I commend you for asking those questions about the impact of turtle tours on turtle populations, but based on my reading, the turtle tours in this area are very well managed and in cooperation w/ scientific research teams in the area. (But I've read that that's not necessarily the case w/ some major leatherback nesting grounds in other parts of the world.)

I am now of the opinion that spending ones money as a turtle lovin' ecotourist on guided tours ect. is one of the best ways one can 'put your money where your mouth is' helping sea turtles.

Turtle researchers learned a long time ago that in order to discourage locals from egg poaching and hunting turtles for meat you have to provide an economic incentive for protection. (Turtle researchers in Costa Rica were pioneers of this concept that has influenced field biologists around the world studying all sorts of animals..) In other words, when you employ local people as guides and involve them as researchers, and also let them make money from the hotels and restauraunt you and I will inevitably have to patronize, living turtle populations are then directly linked to their economic future and become valuable assets. It's worked well in the Mexican Yucatan where divers pay big money expecting to see at least one or two Hawksbills per dive.

As for decreasing leatherback populations, there's probably so many reasons for that outside of people bugging them while they're trying to nest. Maybe somewhere people are still managing to poach their eggs. I don't think any culture actually eats leatherbacks (don't think they taste good like Greens and their shells aren't pretty like Hawksbills) but they probably get picked up in shrimp trawlers like everything else. I have however read that given the fact that they eat jellyfish, they are at increased risk for death by ingesting ocean garbage like white plastic grocery bags, which can look alot like a jellyfish when bobbing around at the surface.

At any rate, I say you can probably visit with a clear conscience. I think they are very aware of not having lights on the beach that disorient hatchlings, and I think the beach is so strictly monitored that you can't even go out at night unless you are in the company of a trained ranger, researecher, or scientist. Perhaps our paths will cross in Playa Grande. Have a great trip.

papagayo

Last year it was almost December before the Leatherbacks started nesting in any numbers so I wouldn't plan your visit here strictly on the turtles nesting in October. We see fewer and fewer of them at sea when doing sailing tours in comparison to even 5 years ago.

melshells

Wow- not until December huh? I'm glad you told me that. I thought I had this great itinerary planned to go to Tortuguero to see Greens, then Carete to see Olive ridleys, and by then by mid November, the Leatherbacks would have started on Playa Grande. (Literature says the season officially starts Oct 15.)
So, Papagayo, do you have any opinions about whats causing the reduced numbers of nesting Leatherbacks? And do you have any suggestions about the feasibility of seeing turtles during my stay: Oct 25th through Nov. 21? How's the weather- those muddslides in Guatemala/ El Salvador are pretty horrific- How's Costa Rica doing? thank you!!!

socalsteph

Thanks everyone for their responses and all the information regarding tourism and the turtles. Unfortunately we already have our flights booked so hopefully those turtles will want to come ashore early. I have always wanted to see them...

papagayo

melshells:

I'm actually just finishing a one month's vacation in Canada and can't tell you anymore about the tragic mudslides in Guatemala then what we have all seen on the news. I talk with people from home every few days and although there has been two - three weeks of rain and some flooding in the Guanacaste area I live, our area is fine. Low-lying areas like Filidelfia flood every year when we receive hard rains. Looks like more rain is headed our way for the weekend.
I really do not know what is happening to the leatherbacks just that we see less each year at sea. My company also runs evening tours to watch the nesting in Playa Grande and I know there have been huge reductions over the years. More shore line development, more boats, warming ocean temperature..........?????
I know first hand there is still poaching going on at isolated northern beaches as when we take groups ashore we see where turtles have nested......ATV tracks ......then dug up nests. Conservation officers have confirmed this also.

Good luck on your trip "socalsteph"

carbonaddict

does anyone know the nesting figures for 2004-5? have found previous years but cant locate this on Internet. do you think that there is a good chance of seeing them late dec/early jan? (have no desire to go to tamarindo otherwise). also as this is peak season is there any danger of not being able to get on a tour?

costaklaus

Hello, last year in the first week of November I was on Playa Grande - no turtles. I went then to Playa Ostional and saw a few Olive ridleys. The guide told me the best time is last quarter of moon , then comes a lot at one time.
Saludos
costaklaus - www.costaricaweb.<font color=red>de</font>

Percy

soclasteph :

I was at the Turtle Egg Laying Tour last December at Playa Grande and wrote up a detailed report.

At the top of this page where it says:
&quot;Search this Forum&quot;

Type in my name Percy and click on search.

Then scroll( on the left hand side) down to the topic titled &quot;Costa Rica Turtle Egg Laying &quot;Tour...it may be about item 150 by now..

You can read my report.

I went with Vargas Tours and would highly recommend them.

As you will read the tour numbers are limited and there is no gurantee you will see any turtle even when you are in the peak season.

I agree with what papagayo said,turtles did not really start coming until early December.

I would contact Vagas Tours and book now as this tour tends to get filled up.

If you need more info write to me at [email protected]

Percy