DESCRIPTION: Asociación
ANAI has over 15 years of experience working in the Caribbean coastline
of Costa Rica, mainly in the region of Talamanca; one of the biologically
richest areas of the planet with over 2% of the entire world's biodiversity.
The Sea Turtle project was started in 1986 in Gandoca Beach and the success
of that project has lead to its expansion in year 2000 to cover Playa Negra.
Before an unknown beach for sea turtles nesting, now the most important
beach for the Hawksbill sea turtle, which is critically endangered
worldwide.
SPECIES: Seaturtles: Leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Green (Chelonia
Mydas).
HABITAT: Caribbean, tropical
coast.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Gandoca
and Playa Negra Beaches, region of Talamanca, Caribbean coastline of Costa
Rica.
TRAVEL INFORMATION: Airplane
to San Jose, then bus to Talamanca.
DURATION: Min. 1 week,
max. 6 months
PERIOD: March to July; peak
nesting period in April to May.
AGE: Min. 18.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: ANAI
has 2 kinds of volunteers: generic and professional. For generic volunteers
no specific skills are required, but a strong motivation is a must. Ability
to walk long hours at night and to withstand hot tropical temperatures.
Professional volunteers have skills in fields such as economy, business
administration, accounting, agriculture, and forest management work and
in the process developing new skills and experiences.
VOLUNTEERS WORK: Generic volunteers
help patrol the beach to protect the turtles, assist with the scientific
monitoring of the species, guard nests and work with the hatchlings
on their journey to the ocean. Professional volunteers will put their skills
at the disposal of the organisation while helping in the tasks of generic
volunteers.
LANGUAGE: English, Spanish useful.
ACCOMMODATION: In Gandoca
with local families; in Playa Negra in the project camp.
COST: For generic volunteers
there is a registration fee of US$25. Full room and board costs US$15/day,
or US$6/day with own tent in camp, with cooking facilities (food can be
purchased in the nearby village). Optional services include US$7/night
lodging in ANAI office in San José and US$30 airport pick up. For
professional volunteers there is no registration fee and housing is provided,
both in San José and in the field. Basic work expenses are
covered. Professional volunteers cover their own food, transportation
and other personal expenses.
LONG TERM: Generic volunteers
can stay for the entire nesting season. Professional volunteers typically
come for 8—12 months.
APPLICATION: Use on-line application
form.
