Field Volunteer: Leatherback Turtle Conservation & Research …, Melbourne

Location Barra de Pacuare, Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica Duration Minimum 3 months commitment (or 7 days as a volunteer) Cost $10 USD per day (negotiable) Fees include
- all food
- accommodation
- pre-departure and in-country support
- orientation and all project related activities Fees exclude
- flights
- travel insurance
- personal spending
- visas and vaccinations Responsibilities
- Collect data about nesting dynamics
- Relocate eggs to a hatchery
- Collect data on hatchlings and release hatchlings
- Assist with hands‑on conservation efforts, including research, plastic contamination solutions, and community projects Ideal candidates Those studying environmental science, marine biology, zoology, ecology, or conservation. Project Overview The project is located in the north of the Caribbean province of Limón, 1km north of the Pacuare River Mouth. The beach is part of the 50km coastline stretching between Tortuguero National Park and the port of Limón, one of the biggest ports of Costa Rica. This astoundingly beautiful yet remote area is the home of this community‑based conservation programme. Community Impact The international NGO running this project has been working for nearly three decades together with scientists, conservationists and educators to promote sustainable sea turtle projects in the wider Caribbean region. The project works with the local community of Pacuare. Former poachers have been trained in sea turtle conservation and work together with volunteers to protect these critically endangered animals. Volunteers play an important part as their fees generate income for local inhabitants. The project strives to increase alternative livelihoods for coastal communities to reduce the need for poaching and hunting turtles and to achieve a long‑lasting sustainable sea turtle management. Threats to Turtles The main threats on this public beach are caused by humans: egg poaching and hunting nesting turtles, which contribute to a population decline of all species. In the Caribbean, consumption of sea turtle meat and eggs or the utilization of turtle shell for jewelry production is rooted in long‑lived local traditions and a robust belief that sea turtle eggs serve as an aphrodisiac. On top of these dangers, sea turtles also face the negative effects of global warming and contamination, which result in nest and habitat loss due to beach erosion or entanglement in fishing gear and trash. The data taken from nesting females improves our understanding of their behaviour and helps coordinate conservation efforts worldwide. #J-18808-Ljbffr Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3ry27a