Ecobreves – COSTA RICA: Pro-Turtle Campaign

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

SAN JOSE, Oct 13 2002 (IPS) - The independently run Sea Turtle Restoration Program (PRETOMA) will soon launch an international campaign aimed at preserving the baula turtle in Costa Rica. The biologists of the organization explained to Tierramérica their aim to raise 15 million dollars in the United States and Europe to purchase part of the northwestern beach known as Playa Grande, on the Pacific coast, where the impacts human activities are endangering the turtles.

PRETOMA's plan is then to donate the acquired land to the government, which is to manage the area as a national park.

Playa Grande is one of the main areas of the Americas where the baula turtle lays its eggs. The species is in danger of extinction.