Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to work in turtle rescue projects along Costa Rica's Pacific coast. There are two different programs working with two species of turtles.
Volunteers will work with Baula Turtles between October and February and Olive Ridley Turtles between May and September. The Baula Turtle is a subspecies of the Leatherback Turtle, the biggest marine turtle in the world, weighing as much as 1,900 pounds and reaching nine feet long.
Their name is indicative of their backs, which are actually not a shell but a pliable thick leather like skin. The Olive Ridley or 'Lora' or Carpintera is the smallest of its species, weighing in at 75 pounds and measuring only 2 feet. Both species' populations are in sharp decline due to over harvesting of eggs, beach development, fishing, pollution, and being killed for their meat and leather.
Volunteer roles include beach patrolling, clearing the beach of obstacles, preparing nests, relocation of nests, handling eggs, helping to release baby turtles in season, counting and recording eggs, taking temperatures in nests, repairing protection around nests, and recording the number of turtles arriving.
Volunteers will work night and day on a rota basis. This means that each person will work shifts of 4 hours and then rest, and will work 6 to 8 hours a day in total with one free day per week. Days off are negotiable with the director of the project.
.: Program Requirements
As a volunteer in Costa Rica you must:
* be at least 18 years of age, and not older than 60 years of age
* know basic Spanish - this is essential because the park rangers do not speak English.
* have no health problems
For more information and details on the costs of this program visit
http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/costarica
If you have a question send it to:
info@volunteer.org.nz
* The Global Volunteer Network offers opportunities in Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, South Africa, South Dakota, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam.
