Junquillal leatherbacks – Costa Rica

Community to save leatherback turtles

WWF Central America works hard to save the endangered Pacific leatherback turtle in Junquillal Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This community-based conservation project concentrates on the social abatement of egg poaching. 
 
“The ultimate aim is that the community values the turtles more alive than dead and that it benefits from its own conservation measures,” said Carlos Drews, coordinator of the project. 
 
Junquillal beach in the Costa Rican Pacific region was recently discovered to be one of the most important nesting sites of leatherbacks in the country. However, Junquillal Beach is not part of the protected areas system of Costa Rica. Consequently, the lack of patrols by government authorities has led to rampant levels of illegal egg harvesting, which sometimes comprises up to 75% of all leatherback nests on that beach. 
 
WWF´s project aims to reduce significantly the number of poached leatherback nests. The strategy consists of generating alternative income sources to the local community and increasing awareness about the urgency to protect this species. 

Activities of the project involve community members in the monitoring of beaches, and the construction and operation of a sea turtle hatchery, where eggs are brought in to be protected until the release of the baby turtles. 

WWF also promotes ecotourism. Community members will be trained as naturalist tour guides, and they will also be trained in the production and marketing of handicrafts. Environmental education is an important element of the project, too.

 A Luxembourg based sponsor of this project, Sustainable Forestry Management, illustrates that  commitment with environmental health by certified timber traders can include species conservation in the marine realm.