EARTHWATCH 2019 COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES

Transcription

1 EARTHWATCH 2019 COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES

2 PLANNING CHECKLIST PLANNING CHECKLIST IMMEDIATELY q Make sure you understand and agree to Earthwatch s Terms and Conditions and the Participant Code of Conduct. q If you plan to purchase additional travel insurance, note that some policies require purchase at the time your expedition is booked. 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Log in at earthwatch.org to complete your participant forms. q If traveling internationally, make sure your passport is current and, if necessary, obtain a visa for your destination country. q Bring your level of fitness up to the standards required (see the Project Conditions section). 90 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Pay any outstanding balance for your expedition. q Book travel arrangements (see the Travel Planning section for details). q Make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations for your project site. 60 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Review the packing list to make sure you have all the clothing, personal supplies, and equipment needed. 30 DAYS PRIOR TO EXPEDITION q Leave the Earthwatch 24-hour helpline number with a parent, relative, or friend. q Leave copies of your photo ID and flight reservation number with a parent, relative, or friend. READ THIS EXPEDITION BRIEFING THOROUGHLY. It provides the most accurate information available at the time of your Earthwatch scientist s project planning, and will likely answer any questions you have about the project. However, please also keep in mind that research requires improvisation, and you may need to be flexible. Research plans evolve in response to new findings, as well as to unpredictable factors such as weather, equipment failure, and travel challenges. To enjoy your expedition to the fullest, remember to expect the unexpected, be tolerant of repetitive tasks, and try to find humor in difficult situations. If there are any major changes in the research plan or field logistics, Earthwatch will make every effort to keep you well informed before you go into the field.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTE FROM THE PI... 2 THE RESEARCH... 4 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD... 6 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD... 8 PROJECT CONDITIONS POTENTIAL HAZARDS...11 HEALTH & SAFETY TRAVEL TIPS EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST PROJECT STAFF RECOMMENDED READING LITERATURE CITED EMERGENCY NUMBERS

4 NOTE FROM THE PI DEAR EARTHWATCHER Welcome to the Costa Rican Sea Turtles expedition! This is the project s 29 th year in the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, and it promises to be yet another exciting adventure. In Costa Rica, one of the world s most biologically diverse countries, visitors can find plenty to see and do. Most importantly, it is the perfect location to see nesting sea turtles. Watching one of these magnificent animals haul itself onto the beach and lay its eggs is a fantastic experience. Our scientists and staff are highly trained, motivated, and experienced in field biology, and look forward to working with you. The primary goal of the expedition is to gain a better understanding of the ecology of the endangered turtles that nest on the beaches of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. These beaches host one of the largest remaining populations of leatherback turtles in the Eastern Pacific as well as important populations of both olive ridley and East Pacific green turtles. With your assistance, we will unlock the secrets of how many turtles are there in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, how often do these turtles nest, and how many of their eggs will survive. In addition, you will help us to protect nests from destruction due to human, animal, and tidal activity. During this time, you will be part of a team of enthusiastic and well-trained biologists who work side-by-side with the local National Park guards and the Eco-tour guides. We are sure that there will be plenty to do and that you ll have an excellent time. See you in Playa Grande! Frank V. Paladino, Ph.D. Aliki Panagopoulou, Ph.D. Pilar Santidrian Tomillo, Ph.D. CONNECT WITH OTHER EARTHWATCHERS! FIND US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ EARTHWATCH OR ON AND ON YOUTUBE AT YOUTUBE.COM/ EARTHWATCHINSTITUTE 2

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6 THE RESEARCH COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES 4 THE STORY The project began in with the goal of protecting and monitoring the population of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) that nested within Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. The leatherback turtle is the largest of all the sea turtles, growing up to lengths of 3 meters, and weigh as much as 916 kilograms (2,020 pounds). The leatherback turtle received its name from its carapace (shell) that, unlike other sea turtles, is made of leathery skin, not bone. Leatherback turtles are found in all the oceans of the world, except for the polar oceans. When the project began, almost all of the leatherback nests laid within Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas were poached by humans who removed the eggs for consumption. Poaching was effectively eliminated in the early 1990s with the establishment of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, but a number of other threats to the survival of the leatherback turtles have now arisen, including: incidental capture by commercial fisheries (Roe et al. 2014), boat strikes, predation of nests by invasive dogs, and climate change (Santidrián Tomillo et al. 2012, Saba et al. 2012). In addition, leatherbacks frequently ingest plastic bags as they look deceptively like their main food sources: jellyfish. At this project, we continually strive to discover, and implement, new methods to eliminate and/or mitigate the threats faced by the leatherback turtles in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Since 2010, we have also expanded the scope of our program to also include the East Pacific green (Chelonia mydas) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtles that nest alongside the leatherback turtles in Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas.

7 RESEARCH AIMS On this project, the researchers study the population status, nesting ecology, and in-water behavior of sea turtles as well as assessing the impacts of human activities on these species. Understanding their population status and nesting ecology has been integral to protecting their nesting beaches. In addition, identifying their migration routes and the effects of fisheries has been critical to the development of international treaties and conservation management strategies. We aim to inform and improve all conservation management strategies for Eastern Pacific sea turtles by continually uncovering more about the secret lives of these majestic animals. This research has been instrumental in establishing the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas and the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Field Station. Additionally, it led to a management plan for the entire area that impacts all land development and water use. This national park is now being used as a model for beach protection and preservation in Costa Rica and throughout Central America. Our research is also being used to help foster support for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape Initiative. This program aims to establish a protected area covering much of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and including critical habitats for whales, fish, and sea turtles. The team maintains a long-term database on the reproduction of leatherback turtles nesting on the beaches in the national park complex where you will work one of the longest population datasets for sea turtles worldwide! Scientists and policymakers need this information to understand impacts from poaching, fisheries by-catch, beach development and pollution over time. In addition, we now have enough years of data that we have been able to assess the impacts of climatic processes on the reproductive behavior and nesting success of sea turtles. This information will be critical to understanding how sea turtles will be affected by climate change. The team also works to involve the local community in our research and conservation efforts. We run a program to educate school children on the benefits of turtles and the natural resources of the area. Also,we have created and supported local guide cooperatives, which employ many families, as well as a cooperative of artisans who make and sell handicrafts created with renewable local resources. We have helped foster a sustainable local economy that works in harmony with the management and protection the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas and the leatherback sea turtle, and they look forward to ushering you into the community. HOW YOU WILL HELP On the first day, you will be oriented on how to assist the scientists in working with the turtles on the beach. Informal presentations about the main project, other research projects, and need for conservation will be given on several evenings prior to the activities. In the research portion of the project, you will be working mainly at night. Possible activities include the following: Walking the beaches in search of nesting turtles and record data on their nests. The number of turtles seen per night varies but is typically 1 to 5, although occasionally no turtles are seen at all. Collecting eggs from newly laid nests in danger of tidal inundation or human interference for relocation to the hatchery (depending on the season). Attaching transmitters to turtles to monitor local behavior and migration. Assisting in the tagging of all nesting females using PIT tags or metal tags (depending on the species) and measuring their carapace length and width. Counting eggs as the turtle lays then within the egg-chamber.. Helping to check each turtle for scars from boat-strikes or from interactions with fishery gear. If necessary, removing any hooks found. Carrying equipment and assisting in excavations of hatched nests. Possible daytime activities include the following: Walking the beaches at dawn to verify the number of nesting turtles from the night before (approximately 10 kilometers [6 miles]; 2 to 3 hours). Taking nest temperatures and recording location of nests. Excavating hatched nests from the previous night to obtain data on hatching success. Cleaning equipment, preparing tags, and packing for the next night s activities, and possibly getting involved with other research projects, depending on the expedition. Assisting with the local education program, which includes visits by schoolchildren to the beach and hatchery. There will be extensive work done with the local school in Playa Grande and Matapalo as well as a number of others in the area on some expeditions. 5

8 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD PLANS FOR YOUR TEAM POLICIES PHOTOGRAPHY AND LIGHT POLICY Research activities will mostly take place at night. Bright lights disturb sea turtles and disorient hatchlings, which can be deadly for them. Nesting females may return to the ocean without nesting, and young hatchlings may die from exhaustion and/or getting predated as a result of them not finding their way to the sea. These worries have caused many governments to impose very strict rules for light management on sea turtle nesting beaches. The following rules apply to your expedition: Flash photography is NOT allowed on nesting beaches at night. Therefore, cameras are NOT allowed on nesting beaches at night. This even includes cameras with high-speed film and no flash, as well as smart phones. If you are interested in taking photos for a professional display, a government permit is required. These permits are difficult to obtain, expensive, and designed for large film crews. If you are interested in applying for such a permit you must contact us at least 45 days before the expedition. The project staff has a selection of stock photos that they will happily share with you via DropBox or can burn onto a CD provided that they are for your own personal use. Proper copyright acknowledgement must be given at all times. Flashlights and headlamps: The project will supply you with a filter for your light appropriate for beach work if you need one. To preserve the serenity of the nesting habitat, flashlights will only be used when necessary for research tasks, and cannot be used to aid in walking along the beach. The restrictions mentioned above only apply during nighttime activities. Photographs can be taken during all daytime activities, including nest excavations and morning walks. There is also a small chance of seeing a daytime nesting turtle. If this happens, we thoroughly recommend that you bring your camera to this once-in-a-lifetime experience, keeping in mind that all photography needs to adhere to Park regulations (e.g. no selfies with the turtle allowed). ALCOHOL POLICY It is the policy of the National Park that volunteers who have consumed ANY amount of alcohol* during the day cannot be permitted on the beach to participate in that evening s turtle survey, for their safety and the safety of the turtles. Please respect this policy. If you plan to join the evening survey, be sure not to consume any alcoholic beverages during the day not even a single beer or glass of wine at lunch. If you do consume alcohol during the day, you will be ineligible to resume surveys until the next morning. * Minors (under age 18) are prohibited from consuming any alcohol at all during the entire expedition as per local law and Earthwatch policy. 6

9 DAILY ACTIVITIES ITINERARY Weather and research needs can lead to changes in the daily schedule. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION After meeting the team at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Field Station, the project staff members will introduce themselves and provide an orientation talk. They ll guide you in what to expect regarding safety, eating arrangements, daytime activities, night work on the beach, and recreational time. That night the biologists will take you out on your first night patrol and hopefully you will see you first nesting sea turtle for the trip! DAYS 2 8: FIELDWORK Work and activities will be posted at the station, and you ll often work in small groups. An estimated schedule follows: Night 5:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. We ll spend around five or six hours on the beach per night, arriving before high tide and staying for about three hours past high tide. With your team members, you ll walk the beach, going from turtle to turtle and collecting data. From October to mid- December, we will relocate nests into the hatchery, and from mid-december to February, we monitor nests in the hatchery and then release the hatchlings after we see them emerge from the nest. Depending on the tide, we will leave the beach between 12:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. Volunteers on morning beach surveys will leave around 5:00 a.m. You will walk up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) while counting nests, fixing markers, taking nest temperature measurements, and doing other fieldwork. 11:00 a.m. Breakfast. We eat together each day to talk about the previous night s turtles and plan for the day. You can walk the quarter-mile to Kike s (the restaurant where we have most meals) or go in the project van. 12:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. You ll generally have free time during this period. On request, we can make arrangements for guided tours (be sure to go on the Tamarindo Estuary tour!), snorkeling and swimming, or a trip into Tamarindo for shopping and relaxing by the beach. Those visiting nests to measure temperatures leave at 3:00 p.m. and work for a few hours on the beach. Other groups will fix markers and perform any hatchery maintenance work. Maintenance work on the hatchery and excavation of hatchery nests will be done during the afternoon. If nests are found the previous night, nest marking, relocation, and excavations will occur. These duties typically take one or two hours and there is always time to go swimming afterwards! Other work relating to student projects will occur on an as-needed basis and will be posted along with other daily activities. Visits to local schools for the education program will take place during the day while school is in session and will be announced when available. 6:00 p.m. Each night, we ll have dinner together at Kike s. On several nights either before or after dinner, depending on the work schedule, a staff member will present a slideshow or give an informal talk on the research. DAY 8, EVENING On Day 8, we will share a wrap-up dinner and take a trip to a beautiful spot to enjoy a breathtaking Costa Rican sunset. DAY 9: DEPARTURE It is best to arrange late morning flights because you may be on the beach until early morning. It is not possible to stay at the accommodations past 2:00 p.m. on the day of departure. 7

10 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD ABOUT YOUR HOME IN THE FIELD Your team will stay at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Field Station, located in Playa Grande just behind the beach. SLEEPING The station has three bedrooms for volunteers. When possible, people of the same gender will share these rooms or they will be used to accommodate couples. The number of volunteers per room will depend on the size of the team. Each room has bunk beds. Privacy in the house is limited and depends on the number of volunteers at the station. BATHROOMS The station has two bathrooms for volunteers, each of which has a toilet, hot water, and a spacious shower. Sinks and mirrors are located outside the toilet areas. Both bathrooms are unisex and shared by everyone. ELECTRICITY You can charge digital cameras or other electronic equipment at the station, and it has air conditioning. Voltage is 120, 60 hertz, generally with flat two-pin plugs and some three-pronged plugs. PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS A wireless Internet connection is available. You may bring your own laptop, but we caution you to take responsibility for any expensive equipment you bring along. TELEPHONE DIALING CODES: When calling Costa Rica from an international phone, dial and then the number. When calling within Costa Rica from a domestic line, omit the 506 and dial the local number. When calling another country from Costa Rica, dial 00, followed by the other country s country code (e.g., 1 for the U.S. and 44 for the U.K.) and the number. PLEASE NOTE that all landline phone numbers in Costa Rica are preceded by a 2, and all Costa Rican cell phone numbers are preceded by an 8 (following the country code 506 if necessary). Check with your cell phone provider to obtain any carrierspecific dialing codes you may need; many providers have dialing procedures that differ from these directions. 8

11 The following are examples of foods you may find in the field. Variety depends on availability. We appreciate your flexibility. FACILITIES AND AMENITIES At the station, you ll have access to a kitchen, dining area, and lounge/classroom area. You can also enjoy a number of amenities in your free time. The freshwater swimming pool at the station is open during the day, and the beach, only 25 meters away, provides a pleasant spot to relax during your time off. One hammock will also be setup to that hang at the station. We have a large library of paperback books. Many visitors also take walks through the local habitats to bird watch. You may do laundry by hand in an outside wash basin, but keep in mind that things dry very slowly due to the humidity (especially in October December). A laundry service can also be provided for a fee (typically about US$3 5 for a small bag of clothes). From December February, there is nominal rainfall in the local area. We experience water restrictions during this dry season and so we ask all volunteers to please conserve water whenever possible. This may include shorter showers and restrictions on washing clothes. TYPICAL MEALS BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SNACKS BEVERAGES Fruit, pancakes, eggs, vegetables, toast, French toast, omelets, and rice and beans. Fresh fruit smoothies are also available. You might want to bring your own snacks to eat between breakfast and dinner. Basic food items such as sandwich materials, fruit, cookies, crackers, and cereal will be available at the station. Vegetables, rice, beans, salad, meat, poultry, fish, pizza You may prepare your own sandwiches, cookies, crackers, cereal, biscuits, etc. (a small grocery store near the station sells food and bottles of water inexpensively). Fruit juices, coffee, soft drinks, and water. The tap water is potable, and we encourage drinking tap water over bottled water to reduce plastic consumption and aid in our conservation mission. Please bring two water bottles that you can refill and carry with you in the field. SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut or other food allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible, and note them in the space provided on your volunteer forms. FOOD AND WATER We ll eat breakfasts and dinners at Kike s, a local restaurant about a quarter-mile away from the field station, but we typically will not have sit-down lunches. If you wish to make something to eat at lunchtime, some staples will be provided at the station. Volunteers on past expeditions have generally found that two meals per day are sufficient. Local dishes tend to include meat and fish, and while vegetarian meals are usually available, the restaurant can t offer much variety. Vegan meals can be more difficult to arrange, depending on what the restaurant has available. If you prefer several small meals or need snacks, you may wish to bring your own supply to supplement the menu. 9

12 PROJECT CONDITIONS THE FIELD ENVIRONMENT The following are averages. Please check weather resources for your team dates for more accurate weather predictions. Projects have experienced unseasonable weather at all times of year. Temperatures are usually in the mid-80s to upper-90s F (30 35 C) during the day, but cool off significantly in the evening, usually to about 60 F (20 C). The rainy season runs from July t o mid-november, with dry, hot, and windy conditions the rest of the year. Volunteers on expeditions in October and November may experience rain and high humidity, so we recommend a light rain parka and a light, long-sleeved sweatshirt for cooler nights. The dry season extends from December to the end of March, when it tends to be warm, windy, and dry. Rolling hills and grassland surrounds the beach. HUMIDITY: 20% 85% GENERAL CONDITIONS TEMPERATURE RANGE: 60º F 95º F (15º C 35º C) ALTITUDE: 0 to 100 ft. (30 m) RAINFALL: 1 5 in ( mm) per week ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: All participants must be able to: Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion. Enjoy being outdoors all day in all types of weather. Endure tropical (hot and humid) work conditions. Shift their sleep cycles throughout the duration of the team; we will work through the night and catch up on sleep during the daytime. Move in soft sand from one turtle to the next, quickly, for most of the night (walking a total of more than 10 km/6 mi on soft sand for 4 6 hours per night). This activity is often strenuous; consider doing preparatory back, calf, and thigh strengthening exercises well before participation. Stay with team and avoid obstacles while patrolling beach in the dark or very low light. Communicate with team leaders and fellow team members by voice, rather than visually, in the dark or very low light. Get low to the ground, often on one s knees or belly, to excavate turtle nests (1 2 hours per day). Have good upper-body and back strength. It may be necessary to dig an artificial nest, which involves digging with your hands to a depth of 3 5 feet/1 1.5 meters. 10

13 POTENTIAL HAZARDS COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES HAZARD TYPE Walking/Hiking/ Climbing Animals/Plants Climate/Weather Project Tasks/ Equipment Personal Security Swimming Sleep Deprivation Disease ASSOCIATED RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS Walking in soft sand on the beach can be strenuous, especially at night in the dark. You must be in good physical condition and have good vision. Comfortable, closed-toe footwear (such as sneakers or hiking boots) and socks are essential to reduce the risk of broken toes, blisters, twisted ankles, and other injuries. Venomous snakes are present in the area, but are notably rare. The venomous snakes present in Guanacaste are coral snakes, the fer de lance (terciopelo), and the Central American rattlesnake (cascabel). Bees and bugs are plentiful, though insects are not as bad on the Pacific side of the country due to the wind and dryness. Mosquitoes in the accommodations are quite common. People who have adverse reactions to insect bites are advised to bring anti-itch ointments and/or oral medication. Those with insect allergies should bring the proper emergency kits and inform staff of the problem and the location of the kit. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and other heat-related illnesses can occur, but you can protect yourself by drinking sufficient water, wearing high-spf sunscreen, and wearing appropriate clothing. Dehydration from sweating can be a problem; please bring your own water bottles that you can easily carry and refill them with electrolyte-replacing packets if necessary. Digging up nests with your hands while kneeling in the sand is physically tiring and could cause muscle sprains or strains. The station is guarded and locked at night, and a fence surrounds the entire complex. You should store valuables securely in your own locked suitcase. While we have a locked safe where you may store money and passports, regular access is limited. You may swim in a nice pool at the Goldring-Gund Station during recreational time, although we won t swim as part of the research activities. Dangerous rip tides and high waves may occur off the local beach so ocean swimming is at your own risk and not endorsed by the project. Sharks and crocodiles may also come near shore; if they are reported, you will not be permitted to swim. We advise against swimming in water deeper than your waist, and you may not swim alone. Always alert project staff when, where, and with whom you plan to go swimming. We will work for about 6 hours each night and a few hours each day, which interrupts regular sleep patterns. Sharing quarters with many other people and sleeping during daylight hours may also impair sleeping. Earplugs and eye masks may help. Also, your hard work will tire you out, which will greatly help with falling asleep in these conditions. Consult your local travel physician well in advance for personal recommendations for immunizations. Beyond routine immunizations (e.g., measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT), varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot), Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines may also be recommended for travel. Playa Grande, Arenal and San José are not considered malaria-risk areas; malaria prophylaxis is not needed. However, mosquito-borne diseases like Zika virus, dengue fever and chikungunya have been reported in the region. The best protection against infection is to limit mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts and long pants) and using insect repellent. The CDC recommends EPAapproved mosquito repellents containing 20% concentrations of DEET or natural repellents made with lemon oil eucalyptus. Our team has tested lemon oil eucalyptus repellents at Playa Grande and found them to be quite effective and friendly to local ecosystems! Mosquito repellents based on Picaridin are also now available in the U.S., although we have not tested these. 11

14 HEALTH & SAFETY COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD Project staff members are not medical professionals. The project will have cell phones and two-way radios for communication among the team while conducting fieldwork. A doctor s office and a dentist s office are within five minutes of the project site. Anyone with an emergency can receive care at a clinic within 15 minutes of the site and a hospital within 45 minutes, in Santa Cruz. PHYSICIAN, NURSE, OR EMT ON STAFF: Project staff members are not medical professionals. STAFF CERTIFIED IN SAFETY TRAINING CPR: Frank Paladino, [pending] FIRST AID: Frank Paladino, [pending] NEAREST HOSPITAL AND CLINIC CLINICA PLAYA GRANDE 50m from Kike s Place. Has an on-call physician and pharmacy delivery service; can handle general emergencies and rapid transport to Hospital de Santa Cruz, if needed. IMMUNIZATIONS & TRAVEL VACCINATIONS Please be sure your routine immunizations are up-to-date (for example: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) and you have the appropriate vaccinations for your travel destination. Medical decisions are the responsibility of each volunteer and his or her doctor, and the following are recommendations only. Visit cdc.gov or who.int for guidance on immunizations. If traveling from countries or region where yellow fever is endemic, you must have a certificate of vaccination. PLEASE NOTE that the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas requests that each volunteer be approved by a medical professional to participate on this project. To fulfill this request, please have your doctor or primary care provider complete the Doctor s Signature Form at the end of this briefing and submit it to Earthwatch as soon as possible. HOSPITAL DE SANTA CRUZ Full-service 24-hour hospital in Santa Cruz DISTANCE FROM RESEARCH SITE: 40 kilometers (25 miles), 45 minutes to an hour by car. EVACUATION: If emergency medical evacuation is necessary, the project van is always available and the local airport in Tamarindo can be used to arrange flights out by small plane (within hours). For emergency assistance in the field, please contact Earthwatch s 24-hour emergency hotline number on the last page of this briefing. Earthwatch is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always on call to respond to messages that come into our live answering service. 12

15 TRAVEL TIPS SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD YOUR DESTINATION LANGUAGE: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken. TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC -6. Daylight saving time is not observed. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS: Please remember that you represent the project at all times. Very short shorts or low-cut, tight shirts may draw unwanted attention that will detract from the scientific goals of the project. Typical western-style bathing suits are fine to wear on the beach and by the pool. Casual, modest dress is acceptable nearly everywhere in Costa Rica. A 10% tip is already included in all restaurant bills, and Costa Ricans generally do not tip above and beyond this except for exceptional service. Tipping taxi drivers, airport curbside baggage handlers, and hotel bellhops is customary. MONEY MATTERS LOCAL CURRENCY: Costa Rican colones are the local currency, but U.S. dollars are usually accepted. PERSONAL FUNDS: A few hundred U.S. dollars will cover recreational activities, souvenirs, snacks and drinks. We suggest that you have at least some cash for day trips and for small stores that are not set up for credit cards. The team will take a trip to Tamarindo on one day, during which you will be able to exchange money at a bank. Most shops in Tamarindo accept credit cards, and you can access ATMs at the bank in Tamarindo though you may not be able to withdraw funds from these with credit cards issued outside Costa Rica. Also, businesses are not eager to accept traveler s checks in US dollars. COUNTRY AND PROJECT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Entry visa requirements differ by country of origin, layover, and destination, and do change unexpectedly. For this reason, please confirm your visa requirements at the time of booking and, again, 90 days prior to travel. Please apply early for your visa (we recommend starting 6 months prior to the start of your expedition). Refunds will not be made for volunteers cancelling due to not obtaining their visa in time to meet the team at the rendezvous. You can find up to date visa requirements via one of the following sites: If a visa is required, participants should apply for a TOURIST visa. Please note that obtaining a visa can take weeks or even months. We strongly recommend using a visa agency, which can both expedite and simplify the process. CONTACT INFORMATION You may be required to list the following contact information on your visa application and immigration form, or if your luggage does not make it to baggage claim at your destination: Frank V. Paladino Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Field Station, 50 m Norte De Hotel Las Tortugas, Playa Grande, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Tel: +506 (2) DEPARTURE TAXES: When departing from Liberia or San Juan Airports, there is an international departure tax of US$29. This fee may be included in the price of your airfare but you should confirm this with the airline company. 13

16 EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST WHAT TO BRING EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST GENERAL q This expedition briefing q Your travel plans, rendezvous details, and Earthwatch s emergency contact information q Photocopies of your passport, flight itinerary, and credit cards in case the originals are lost or stolen; the copies should be packed separately from the original documents q Passport and/or visa (if necessary) q Certification of vaccination (if necessary) q Documentation for travel by minors (if necessary) CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR FIELDWORK q At least three comfortable T-shirts, including your Earthwatch T-shirt. You will also be supplied with a work t-shirt upon arrival that you will be asked to wear all for nighttime research tasks. q At least two pairs of shorts to wear during daytime research activities q At least one pair of lightweight long pants to wear on the beach at night q A long-sleeved, lightweight sweatshirt q A light rain jacket or poncho, plus rain pants if you wish (especially October November teams) q Plenty of socks for protecting your feet while walking in sand (long-tennis socks are great for stopping bugs from biting your ankles while patrolling) q At least one pair of broken-in sneakers that you are comfortable getting wet and walking in for longdistances on sand. Closed-toed sandals (e.g. Keens) or light hiking boots are also suitable and depends on your preference. q Wide-brimmed hat CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR FOR LEISURE q At least one set of clothing to keep clean for end of expedition and for possible recreational activities q Sandals or flip-flops for daytime beach work and activities. q Loose, comfortable clothing. Long sleeves and long pants are recommended for the evening to discourage insect bites, while shorts and t-shirts are suitable for daytime activities. q One bathing suit for swimming and relaxing (two if you want to always keep one pair dry) q Loose, comfortable clothing for during the day while not working (shorts and T-shirts) FIELD SUPPLIES q One headlamp (a small 2xAA size headlight is recommended). Headlamps with red light settings are best because turtles are less sensitive to red light than they are to white light. If the headlight does not have a red light setting a red filter will be applied in the field. q Small daypack q Insect repellent q Refillable water bottle(s) BEDDING AND BATHING q At least one large bath towel q Beach towel NOTE: Bedding and pillows will be provided by the project. 14

17 EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST PERSONAL SUPPLIES q Personal toiletries (biodegradable soaps and shampoos are encouraged) q Personal first aid kit (e.g., anti-diarrhea pills, antibiotics, antiseptic, itch-relief, pain reliever, bandages, blister covers such a moleskin, etc.) and medications q Spending money in cash (US $ or the equivalent in colones is usually plenty unless you are planning additional side trips) and a credit card (most credit cards are readily accepted) OPTIONAL ITEMS q A travel alarm clock q Sunglasses q Digital light-up, water-repellent watch q A small, hand-held flashlight (in addition to a headlamp, which is required) q Extra snacks like granola bars or trail mix; they are quite expensive in Costa Rica q Bandana(s) to keep bugs and sand out of your hair q Snorkel and mask if you want to snorkel during recreational time (we have a few sets to share at the station, but if you have your own we suggest that you bring it) q Camera, film or memory card(s), extra camera battery q Hardware for sharing digital photographs at the end of the expedition q Dry bag or plastic sealable bags (e.g. Ziploc) to protect equipment like cameras from dust, humidity, and water q Books, games, art supplies, etc. for free time q Earplugs and/or sleep mask for light sleepers THE WISH LIST We greatly appreciate donations. The following items are used on the project: q Batteries (AAA and AA) q Headlamps q Nonprescription first aid supplies (e.g., cotton balls, gauze, bandages, antibiotic ointment) q Alcohol swabs q Insect repellent q Disposable latex and/or nitrite (non-latex) gloves of all sizes q Plastic garbage bags (small and medium) q Supplies for the local primary school (e.g., pencils, pens, crayons, color pencils, notebooks, small children s toys, folders, paper, books in Spanish, posters, paints and brushes). q Candies or ANY chocolate q Your favorite condiment q clicker counters q neon flagging tape q fabric tape measures (must measure in metric and be at least 2 m long) NOTE: Do not bring more luggage than you can carry and handle on your own. If traveling by air and checking your luggage, we advise you to pack an extra set of field clothing and personal essentials in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or delayed. If you will be taking an international flight that has one or more connections within the country of your destination, you must collect any checked bags at the airport where you first arrive in the destination country. After proceeding through customs, recheck your luggage before flying on to your final destination. 15

18 PROJECT STAFF YOUR RESOURCES IN THE FIELD NOTE: Staff schedules are subject to change. EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST DR. FRANK V. PALADINO researches comparative vertebrate physiological ecology, and has been a professor at Indiana-Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana for over 27 years. He has published more than 80 scientific papers in reviewed professional journals on animals ranging from songbirds to elephants to fish to sea turtles. Since 1988 he has researched sea turtles in Costa Rica, and he spends as much time as possible sharing his knowledge with the field team and volunteers in Costa Rica; however, he must spend a portion of each nesting season devoted to professorial duties on campus. Teams: 6 and 7. EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST DR. BIBI SANTIDRIÁN TOMILLO, the science director with the Leatherback Trust, has worked with this project for over 18 years. Her areas of expertise include population biology, marine biology, and conservation, and her current research focuses on the effect of climatic events on hatching success of leatherback turtles and other reptile species. She supervises the research done from the field station and connects research and management by working closely with the national park authorities. EARTHWATCH SCIENTIST DR. ALIKI PANAGOPOULOU, the Conservation Scientist with The Leatherback Trust, has worked with this project for the last 4 years, but has more than 20 years of experience running the sea turtle conservation projects in Greece. Her areas of expertise include marine biology and conservation, fisheries research and social science research. Her current research focuses on fisheries interactions between sea turtles and fisheries, with emphasis on the little studied small scale artisanal fisheries. She supervises the conservation work done from the field station in collaboration with Drs. Frank Paladino and Bibi Santidrian Tomillo. 16

19 RECOMMENDED READING YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME RESOURCES ARTICLES Reina et al. (2002) Nesting ecology of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica: Spotila, J.R. et al Pacific Leatherback turtles face extinction. Nature 405: Morreale, SJ, Standora EA, Spotila, JR and Paladino FV, (1996). Migration corridor for sea turtles. Nature 384: Dornfeld et al. (2015) Ecology of solitary nesting olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Marine Biology. Santidrián Tomillo et al. (2014) High beach temperatures increase female-biased primary sex ratios but reduce output of female hatchlings in the leatherback turtle. Biological Conservation 176 : Robinson NJ et al. (2014) Multidecadal trends in the nesting phenology of Pacific and Atlantic leatherback turtles are associated with population demography. Endangered Species Research. Santidrián Tomillo et al. (2012) Climate Driven Egg and Hatchling Mortality Threatens Survival of Eastern Pacific Leatherback Turtles. PLoS ONE 7:e Saba VS et al. (2012) Projected response of an endangered marine turtle population to climate change. Nature Climate Change 2: Shillinger GS et al. (2012) On the dispersal of leatherback turtle hatchlings from Mesoamerican nesting beaches. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences 279: A.I. Troost et al. What can we learn from confusing Olivella columellaris and O. semistriata (Olivellidae, Gastropoda), two key species in panamic sandy beach ecosystems? Biota Neotropica 12(2). G.S. Blanco et al Movements and diving behavior of interesting green turtles along Pacific Costa Rica. Integrative Zoology. G.S. Blanco et al Reproductive Output and Ultrasonography of an Endangered Population of East Pacific Green Turtles. The Journal of Wildlife Management 76(4): BOOKS Spotila JR, Santidrián Tomillo P (2015) The leatherback turtle: biology and conservation. John Hopkins Press. Spotila JR (2011) Saving Sea Turtles. Johns Hopkins Press Safina C (2006) Voyage of the Turtle. Henry Holt. Spotila JR (2004) Sea Turtles. Johns Hopkins Press. FIELD GUIDES Blake, B The New Key to Costa Rica. 17th Edition. keytocostarica.com. FILM Red Turtle Rising PROJECT FIELD REPORT Each Earthwatch-supported project submits a report on past research and results. The most recent field report for this project is available online at org/fieldreports/earthwatch-field-report-costa-ricansea-turtles-2017.pdf PROJECT-RELATED WEBSITE The Leatherback Trust website: leatherback.org where you can learn about our work, research, and scientists. The Leatherback Trust Facebook: facebook.com/leatherbacktrust The Leatherback Trust YouTube: youtube.com/c/theleatherbacktrust The Leatherback Trust Twitter: twitter.com/theleatherback EARTHWATCH SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: facebook.com/earthwatch TWITTER: twitter.com/earthwatch_org INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/earthwatch BLOG: YOUTUBE: youtube.com/earthwatchinstitute 17

20 LITERATURE CITED YOUR RESOURCES AT HOME LITERATURE CITED Roe JH, Morreale SJ, Paladino FV, Shillinger GS, Benson SR, Eckert SA, Bailey H, Santidrian Tomillo P, Bograd SJ, Eguchi T, Dutton PH, Seminoff JA, Block BA, Spotila JR (2014) Predicting bycatch hotspots for endangered leatherback turtles on longlines in the Pacific Ocean. Proceedings of the Royal Biological Society B Biological Sciences 281: Saba VS, Stock CA, Paladino FV, Spotila JR, Santidrián Tomillo P (2012) Projected response of an endangered marine turtle population to climate change. Nature Climate Change 2: Santidrián Tomillo P, Saba VS, Blanco GS, Stock CA, Paladino FV, Spotila JR (2012) Climate drive egg and hatchling mortality threatens survival of Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles. PLoS ONE 7:e

21 19

22 NOTES COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES 20

23 NOTES COSTA RICAN SEA TURTLES 21

24 EMERGENCY NUMBERS AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT 22

25 MESSAGE FROM EARTHWATCH DEAR EARTHWATCHER, Thank you for joining this expedition! We greatly appreciate your decision to contribute to hands-on environmental science and conservation. It is volunteers like you who fuel our mission and inspire our work. While at Earthwatch, I ve had the opportunity to field on a few expeditions, most recently in Kenya with one of my daughters. Each expedition has touched me deeply, and made me proud to be able to roll up my sleeves alongside my fellow volunteers and contribute to such meaningful work. As an Earthwatch volunteer, you have the opportunity to create positive change. And while you re out in the field working toward that change, we are committed to caring for your safety. Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we ve been providing volunteer field experiences with careful risk management and diligent planning for nearly 45 years. You re in good hands. If you have questions as you prepare for your expedition, we encourage you to contact your Earthwatch office. Thank you for your support, and enjoy your expedition! Sincerely, Scott Kania President and CEO, Earthwatch 3

26 Earthwatch U.S. 114 Western Ave. Boston, MA United States earthwatch.org Phone: Toll-Free: Fax: Earthwatch Europe Mayfield House 256 Banbury Rd. Oxford, OX2 7DE United Kingdom earthwatch.org Phone: Fax: Earthwatch Australia Suite G 07, Ground Floor 60L Green Building, Leicester Street Carlton VIC 3053, Australia earth@earthwatch.org.au earthwatch.org Phone: Fax: Earthwatch Japan Food Science Bldg. 4F The University of Tokyo 1-1-1, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo , Japan info@earthwatch.jp earthwatch.org Phone: Fax: