In addition to the field research, several environmental awareness and education activities were conducted as part of the 1997 Green Turtle Program. These included a recycling program for the local community, the administration of a Visitors Center for tourists, information transfer and cooperation with local tour guides, and a program to involve the Tortuguero School in sea turtle and environmental conservation projects. The response from the local community to these activities has so far been very positive. All is not well, however, for the sea turtles at Tortuguero. We estimate that at least 1,500-2,000 green turtles from this population were illegally taken from the nesting beach in 1997.
Poachers flip the turtles over under the cover of darkness as they crawl onto the beach to nest.
Poachers prefer to seize the turtles as soon as they crawl out of the water. This conveys a dual advantage. For this reason, our estimate of mortality due to poaching should be considered conservative. With an aim to reduce the serious problem of poaching, an agreement between CCC and ACTo was recently signed. According to the agreement, CCC will assist in the funding and organizing of additional guards which will patrol the beach during the nesting season.