Sea Turtle Conservation / Rescue and Rehabilitation

This project offers a limited number of positions to work as Research Assistant’s (RAs) each year at three different biological field stations in Costa Rica (two on the Caribbean coast and one on the Pacific coast).

RAs are considered part of the project staff and will have specific duties to carry out. However, the common duties of RAs on the Caribbean coast are to lead teams of volunteers on beach patrols while searching for nesting Leatherback sea turtles, and to ensure that all research/conservation activities are carried out correctly. RAs are also in charge of the turtle hatcheries and the training of new volunteers. After training, RAs will also be responsible for the tagging of turtles and for correctly recording research data for each turtle. There is also a rescue centre for sea turtles at one of the biological field stations on the Caribbean coast under construction. RAs will also be asked to coordinate the activities at the rescue centre, including the registration of new patients, daily monitoring, feeding, training of volunteers, and sea turtle releases. RAs can participate in one of the three following periods: February to April, May to July, or August to October.

The project on the Pacific coast conducts in-water studies on the Pacific Green and Hawksbill sea turtle population. Project staff and volunteers go out on a boat to capture sea turtles with the purpose of taking various samples, collecting data and tagging. A mangrove reforestation program and a rescue centre is also operational at this site in order to improve marine conservation in the area and to nurse weak sea turtles. These provide further tasks for RAs at this site (i.e. planting trees, helping weak sea turtles, and supervising volunteers). The in-water study accepts volunteers year round.

RAs are asked to contribute £6 per day to help cover the cost of accommodation, food, orientation, and training.