A lack of funds has forced the Centre for Sea Turtle Research and Conservation (CICTMAR) to cut back its patrolling of Cipara and Querepere beaches on the northeastern Venezuelan pensinsula of Paria, where female leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are laying their eggs. "The night patrols that we have always carried out between Mar. 15 and Aug. 31 have been reduced to a minimum,” environmentalist Edelvys Guada of CICTMAR told Tierramérica.

These patrols “allow us to identify the mother turtles, collect the eggs and move them to a place where they are safe from predators, and later accompany the baby turtles as they make their way to the sea,” explained Guada.

The leatherback turtle, which can grow to up to two meters in length and weigh more than 600 kilos, is an endangered species.

The beaches on the Paria peninsula are one of their favorite nesting sites. CICTMAR has launched an “Adopt a Turtle” campaign as a means of raising funds to continue its work with the leatherbacks.