LOCATION
Cahuita National Park is located on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast, approximately 50 Km south of the city of Limón. Cahuita is the only place in Costa Rican Caribbean coast where you can find healthy coral reefs, and the beaches are bordered by lush vegetation. The wildlife is rich, some common sightings are monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, caimans, anteaters, peccaries, and around 400 species of birds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
There is a need of assessing habitats used by sea turtles in different life stages, and types of threats they are exposed to in coastal and pelagic waters. The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is home to the most
important nesting beach of the region (Cahuita National
Park), and the coral reefs found here provide shelter for poorly studied resident populations. With numbers of turtles decreasing in the Wider Caribbean region, as product of illegal slaughter by local fisherman, poaching of eggs in nesting beaches, and at habitat loss, population recovery has become a top conservation priority for this already critically endangered species.
The park is especially important for sea turtles. Two critically endangered species of turtles nest in the park's beaches, the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (Feb-Aug), and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) (May-Nov). The endangered Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) may also be found nesting occasionally (Jun-Oct). The coral reef is an important foraging and mating site for the Hawksbill Turtle.
OBJECTIVES
Improve the knowledge about the biology, ecology and conservation of the Eretmochelys imbricata in the Southeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, to give guidelines for a better conservation actions.
Conduct an assessment of the sea turtle population trends based on:
- monitoring of the seasonal beach activity of adult females
- sampling of sea turtles in foraging grounds to include individuals not encountered on the nesting beach
PROJECT DURATION: 15 August – 15 November
DUTIES
Volunteers will participate in the following activities:
- Assessment of abundance trends and behaviour for in-water sea turtle populations (snorkeling and/or diving)
- Monitoring of sea turtle nesting activity (night patrols and
morning surveys)
- Operation and monitoring of sea turtle hatchery
- Maintenance of park trails
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Full training will be provided upon arrival to project site. This does not include diving certification.
Requirements (Research Assistant position)
- Degree in Biology, Conservation or related subject
- Diving certificate (PADI Open Water or equivalent).
Desirable skills (general):
- Degree in Biology, Conservation or related subject
- Diving certificate (PADI Open Water or equivalent) (required for in-water activities)
- First Aid course
- Fluency in English, and at least conversational level in Spanish
- Previous experience in sea turtle conservation work or other conservation project
- Previous experience in monitoring in-water sea turtle populations
- Be physically fit, and have no major health restraints
- Ability to withstand hot humid climate
- Ability to walk long distances (up to 10Km per night) on soft sand
at night
- Long-term commitment (minimum 2 weeks)
HOUSING
All volunteers will stay in a dorm room available at the administrative facilities of the Cahuita National Park. Three meals will be provided every day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and are included in the participation fees.
COSTS/BENEFITS
All positions are non-paid. Fees include room, board and inscription only. Fees do not include: personal insurance, transportation to and from the project site, and personal expenses.
Research Assistant: Minimum commitment time is 2 months. A refundable deposit fee of $150 is required. Total participation fee will be $300 for the 2 month period, although funding may be eventually available for total stay of 3 months.
Volunteering: The minimum participation time is 2 weeks. The cost for a 2 week placement is of US$260. Each additional week cost $120.
Diving training and certification may be facilitated upon request (average cost $150-$200).
CONTACT INFORMATION
Research Coordinator:
Joana Hancock
carey.cahuita@gmail.com
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Joana Hancock
Research Coordinator - Proyecto Carey
Email: carey.cahuita@gmail.com
