Snoozing Hawksbill and possible poaching

Qué carey!

The morning census team was fortunate enough to come across a turtle laying in broad daylight (well 05:45am); not just any turtle either, a hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) or in Spanish 'carey'. Famed for their ornate shell, hawksbills have been heavily targeted and are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. Sighting the one track up, at first we feared that she had been ‘lifted’ (taken by poachers) but no, it turns out she was just having a snooze! Upon checking for tags, she roared into action and with machine-like motion, she packed down her eggs, then it was a quick swish of sand to disguise the nest and she was off back to sea. An awesome moment, as she actually turned back and looked directly at those surveying; an inspiring encounter.

Disturbing behaviour

Despite our best efforts to disguise and get to nests before others do, this week has seen almost every checked nest declared as status “unknown” - including the hawksbill nest mentioned above, a rather disheartening event for all! Whilst not finding conclusive evidence of poaching (eggshells or cavities left where eggs are removed from) or nests displaying signs of human interference (including disturbed sand which indicates digging and recovering) it is hoped that changes in surveying times, together with continuing to talk to locals in the area will improve the situation next week. We have already been able to speak to one interested local and supplied him with red filter paper for his torch, which is more agreeable to nesting turtles, and a copy of the new Responsible Turtle Watching Guide produced in a joint effort between GVI Costa Rica and COTERC. These guides will be available to tourists in the local lodges in the next few days.

Snoozing Hawksbill and possible poaching