Between the months of August and October, green sea turtles arrive at nesting beaches along the northern part of the Costa Rican Caribbean coast and every year the turtles are hunted for their highly valued oil and meat. The presence of volunteers and research assistants is crucial to discourage poachers from roaming the coast in search of the turtles.In 2008, Pacuare Reserve, one of Ecology Project International’s Costa Rican partners, began recruiting locals to work as research assistants for the green turtle season. The reserve contacted former participants of EPI’s Sea Turtle Ecology Program, which focuses on Leatherback sea turtles. The selected local high school graduates were offered the opportunity to collaborate with the reserve during the green sea turtle nesting season.
One of these students, Karol Kano from Siquirres City, had participated with EPI in 2006 and 2007. She is a peaceful and smiley girl, who loves to ride her bicycle, walk and listen to reggae and rock music. Her city is well know for its citizens’ habit of consuming and selling eggs in small cantinas, restaurants and even on the street. The consumption of sea turtles has been part of their culture and habit for more than a century. Karol knew of this reality long before visiting the reserve and remained curious about seeing the turtles and eggs. Immediately upon viewing the announcement she and a friend applied for the position. Within days she was being interviewed and was selected for her genuine interest in working and caring for the turtles.
This interest was first ignited during her trips with EPI which she describes as beautiful, striking and exciting. She was fascinated to learn about the turtle’s life cycle, where they come from, where they go and the monumental endeavor coming ashore to nest represents. She was responsible for teaching her friends and family about the difficulty the turtles face in surviving not only the natural threats but also the man-made challenges. It was no surprise to see her entire family; parents, siblings, cousins, uncles and even her grandma on the dock waving goodbye and thrilled to see her leaving for meaningful work away from home for the first time.
It wasn’t easy for an 18 year old girl to be away from home for 3 months in the reserve. As the youngest assistant, the others helped her learn and achieve complete success as a research assistant. In her time at the reserve, patrolling each night, she worked with several green turtles and was blessed with a handful hawksbills, which are more difficult to see. She also helped to relocate nests which were dangerously close to the tide line as well as excavate nests to study the contents and help release turtles who were unable to reach the sea.
She is now home but her short stay in the reserve was meaningful and an opportunity for great personal growth. We look forward to seeing her again next season when she will return as a research assistant for the full season.
