Day 4 - Costa Rica Ecology Project

Our groups swapped jobs today at LAST organization. Ms Moreau's group worked on the mangrove restoration project, while my group worked with sea turtles. We started by loading our boat and taking it out into the bay. The boat stopped in the middle of the bay, and we had to jump out into the water to help set up the very long net that would catch the sea turtles. Once we finished, the boat took us to a deserted beach, while Mag went back out into the boat and waited to see if a turtle was caught in the net. We waited patiently on the beach. When the boat approached us, we were ready to help bring the turtle to land and take measurements. We took turns holding the fins, taking measurements, and writing the data down. We were very lucky and got to see 2 Hawksbill turtles, 1 black sea turtle and 1 green sea turtle. While we were waiting on the beach, we had a lesson about the different types of sea turtles, and conservation issues related to them. We also had some free time where we collected coconuts. At the end of the day, one of the turtles we caught had to be brought back to LAST campus because it was sick. It was not a fun job, but we helped with putting the net away properly, which took us about 45 minutes. We were rewarded with ice cream. This was our last night on the Osa Peninsula. The next day would be a travel day for us. 

Group waiting on the beach for the boat to bring in sea turtles.

Group brings to shore our first sea turtle. 

Francesca and Ollie hold the flippers of a black sea turtle. 

JP collects data of the black sea turtle. 

When we weren't collecting data, we had some free time to open coconuts. 

Francesca enjoying her coconut. 

Vadim and Phoebe hold the Hawksbill sea turtle off the ground so we can find its weight.

Ollie helps collect data of this sea turtle. 

The group collects data on our third sea turtle of the day. 

Releasing the sea turtle back to the ocean. 

Group picture after our last day at LAST campus.