Saving Sea Turtles at Playa Linda: A Call for Volunteer Beach Patrols

Elly King, Volunteer Coordinator at The Sloth Institute

The Sloth Institute is excited to continue our collaboration with the Playa Linda community! Together we have previously addressed significant deforestation issues with the installation of Sloth Speedways in the area and also teamed up with a local landowner to plant over 300 cecropia saplings from our tree nursery. We’re delighted to report that these saplings are thriving and will soon provide essential habitat for sloths and other wildlife.

Playa Linda has recently launched Conservación de Tortugas Marinas Playa Linda (CTMPL), an initiative approved by SINAC, aimed at protecting this vital sea turtle nesting site. This time of year sees Olive Ridley and Pacific Green turtles nesting, while Hawksbill and occasionally critically endangered Leatherback turtles visit at other times.

Sadly, these sea turtles face serious threats from poachers who illegally harvest their eggs, putting their populations at risk. To combat this, Playa Linda is seeking passionate volunteers to assist with beach patrols. Volunteers will help monitor nesting activities and conduct surveys, these findings will aid the relocation of eggs to safer areas and ultimately ensure the successful release of hatchlings back into the ocean. This hands-on involvement is a meaningful way to contribute to the conservation of these magnificent creatures.

The CTMPL conservation project is teaming up with Reserva Playa Tortuga, local volunteers from The Playa Hermosa project as well as a local landowner, where the community has seen significant success in reducing poaching. We deeply appreciate the efforts of all involved and are enthusiastic about our continued collaboration.

If you’re interested in making a difference, please contact [email protected] for more information. Whether you can commit to one or two days a week or just a few hours on the weekend, your support will have a profound impact on sea turtle conservation. We look forward to seeing you on the beach!