Local Sea Turtle Conservation

The Sea Turtle Conservation project seeks to sensitize residents of coastal communities on the issue of environmental conservation and sea turtles, in addition to teaching and guiding new professionals in scientific research, conservation and protection of endangered species. of extinction, and on the important role of sea turtles.

When we started with the initiative of La escuelita, to give school support to children with the greatest educational difficulties, we entered a world unknown to us, but which became a challenge in terms of environmental education and endangered species.

In Punta Chame, conservation, research, awareness and environmental education activities are combined in order to promote sustainable and adequate use focused on sea turtles.

There are records that 1 of the 7 species of sea turtles in the world nest: the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). The months of maximum turtle nesting occur from July to January.

The sustainability of the project depends on the participation of volunteers, which is why we have been creating environmental spaces in the town of Punta Chame. These spaces are available for people who have the desire and enthusiasm to join us in this experience for 2 weeks.

The contributions received are destined to the development of the projects, donations, lodging and feeding of the volunteers and the constant creation of new projects that benefit the development of the beneficiary towns.

Volunteer Profile

• Love and respect nature
• Maintain proper behavior during the volunteer period and maintain good communication with program staff and people from the community who participate in program activities.
• Be willing to support turtle monitoring work on the beach (outdoors), taking into account that difficult weather conditions occur during the peak nesting season.
• Be in optimal health conditions to be able to adequately carry out the activities of the program.
• Possess good physical conditions, since during the tours they probably had to walk long distances on wet places and loose sand.

• Willingness to get involved in sea turtle protection and conservation activities.
• Be patient, because the nesting of sea turtles is a natural process that is not under our control, which is why, at times, it is not very predictable.
• Willingness to accompany tours carried out in shifts during the night (beach monitoring activities are carried out between 8 pm and 6 am depending on the season, tide and the number of turtles nesting each night).
• It is not a requirement to have previous experience in handling sea turtles.
• The necessary explanations will be given during the first day of the activity and, if necessary, during the following days, as far as possible talks are offered to the volunteers.
• Availability of minimum time 1 week.

Requirements

• Be of legal age
• Make video calls
• Required to read and sign a volunteer form, declaration and agreement
• Send requested documentation:
• Copy of passport
• Travel insurance with civil liability and accident

Tasks in which the volunteer supports

The local team will be supported in the protection of sea turtles through the following actions:

• Night and day monitoring of the beach where the project is developed.
• Relocation of nests to hatcheries.
• Collection of biometric data of the turtles that spawn.
• Relocation of nests on the same beach.
• Release of newly hatched turtles (newly hatched). Exhumation of nests and data collection. (when is calving season)
• Help obtain a reliable database.
• Participate in nursery construction and maintenance work.
• Carry out educational activities on the environment with the students of the Punta Chame school and surrounding areas.

• 7:00 to 12:00 noon: In this space, the volunteer supports the tasks and activities that are carried out during the day. These are usually cleaning and maintenance of the place. Also in the hatching season, the releases and information gathering of sea turtles and nests are carried out.
• 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.: Patrols begin at this time; volunteer departure times vary according to the tides.

San Blas Islands

Considered the most beautiful islands in all of Latin America.  Visitors choose them for their crystal clear waters and white sand.  These islands are 3 hours from Panama City.  

Bocas del Toro

It is very close to the Costa Rican border. On its beaches you can regularly go surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, enjoy the sun and the nightlife among many other activities.  

Santa Catalina-Santiago Beach

It is a small coastal town, during the day you can go to the beach and go surfing.  You can also book an excursion to Coiba Island. 

Portobello and Mamey Island-Colón

This beautiful and historic place located in the Caribbean area can be visited in a weekend.