Gandoca
Since 1986, the WIDECAST Latin America Program has been working to protect the leatherback nesting populations in the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge in the South Caribbean. The main objective of the project is to protect the nests from human poachers. Before the project began, the poaching rate was more than 95% but with the presence of night patrols and the hatcheries on the beach, the survival rate has increased to more than 90%. Now this beach is one of the few in the world with increasing nesting numbers.
The leatherback nesting season runs from the beginning of March through the end of July each year. The peak nesting period is April/May with hatchlings emerging from mid May through the end of the season. The number of nesting adult females arriving on the beach drops off from June until the end of July. Each season, as part of the conservation effort, the project recruits volunteers, both national and international, to help in the research and conservation work. WIDECAST also brings schools to work on the project as part of the environmental education program.
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Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
A unique collaboration between local communities and the national park system, this 300 hectare (740 acre) reserve is home to rain forest, gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, and swamps. Wildlife in the refuge includes 3 species of dolphins, manatees, crocodiles and caiman, monkeys, sloths, snakes, and many species of birds. An ecotourism gem, the reserve has some of the country’s most spectacular beaches hidden between rock outcroppings as well as stunning hikes.
About WIDECAST Latin America
The mission of WIDECAST Latin America is to improve the conservation status of the marine turtles in Costa Rica, with emphasis on the Caribbean region, through research, political lobbying, planning, training, creation of socio-economic alternatives and public awareness. Their other projects include nesting beach conservation projects in Cahuita, the Osa Peninsula, Ostional, and in Panama. They also work with cooperatives to develop a market for recycled plastic handbags and a manatee conservation project in Panama. The group was formerly a part of Asociacion ANAI.
Artlcles & Links
Tours from Puerto Viejo - ATEC
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Local Sea Turtle Populations
- Leatherback (March to July)
- Green (July to October)*
- Hawksbill (July to October)*
SEE Turtles Here
Costa Rica Family Trip - June
Undiscovered Caribbean - March - June
Volunteer (mention Gandoca in the notes on the matching form)
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A giant leatherback turtle nesting at night. |
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An isolated beach in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge |