Pacific Green Turtle - Chelonia mydas - Photo by Felipe Thomas at f_thomas_photography

Wildlife & Nature

The First Nesting Record of a Pacific Green Turtle in Playa Hermosa de Uvita

December 9, 2020

2 minute read

On Saturday night, Óscar, director of Reserva Playa Tortuga, had a hunch something special was about to happen. The next day, he decided to accompany some volunteers who would go to monitor Playa Hermosa, a place that in recent months has received dozens of Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), whom have come to nest.

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 the volunteers spotted a turtle footprint. From there, the tracks led the group of volunteers, whom were amazed to witness the first nesting record of a Pacific Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Playa Hermosa!

The group managed to remain 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.
Reserva Playa Tortuga

We invite the community to continue working together, especially as it has been done this year.

Author

Oscar Brenes

Reserva Playa Tortuga is a non-profit biological research and education center formed in 2009 by community members and Costa Rican scientists. RPT aims to contribute to the fields of biological research and science-based conservation management as well as fomenting a culture of environmental conservation in the areas influenced by the National Wetlands of the Terraba-Sierpe basin. The main focuses of RPT over the past eight years has been to gain an understanding of the current state of key coastal environmental resources and to identify stakeholders in the coastal zone who are influenced by the Térraba-Sierpe wetlands. Our mission is to develop and to implement community-based real world projects and conservation management solutions, using the best research science and conservation management practices. RPT receives volunteers and students (Internship) from all around the world, all year round, and also welcomes visitors if is any activity available for them. The volunteer program includes accommodation, meals, laundry, internet access, etc. and the opportunity to be part of a serious scientific research project, working with experienced staff members, who will show volunteers proper scientific methods for working with sea turtles, crocs, among others. The articles are written by Oscar Brenes, Director of Reserva Playa Tortuga.