Conservation Programs

Rescue and Rehabilitation

WIDECAST started to be involved in the subject of Rescue and Rehabilitation of Sea Turtles since 2000. At the beginning ofthis decade, WIDECAST’s staff was trained in basic procedures to deal with strandings, thanks to the support of the National Aquarium in Baltimore (NAIB). After this, we supported the Marine Park “Parque Marino del Pacífico”, in Puntarenas (http://www.parquemarino.org), in their first steps in the development of what today is known as the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre of Marine Life. In partnership with NAIB, WIDECAST developed one workshop about Sea Turtle Medicine for Veterinaries and Biologists. Next we developed MARVET (Marine Vets) together with the Parque Marino del Pacífico.

Since 2005 we are supporting the Sea Horse Aquarium of Limón, the capital of the province located at the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. We provide them equipment, training and materials. This place has saved more than 100 Green and Hawksbill turtles from cruelty and death.These turtles were all from different ages and presented different issues, including harpoon wounds, capture by nets, contact with petroleum, machete cuts etc.

WIDECAST, in 2009, received 28 injured sea turtles transported by land, from Marviva and MINAET (Environmental Ministry). This prompted us to start multiple actions for the establishment of two rescue centers for sea turtles, one in Playa Blanca of the Osa peninsula at the Pacific coast, and another one in Pacuare at the Caribbean coast.

Thanks to the support of the Humane Society International, Ecoteach Foundation, NIPRO and the Veterinarian School of the National University ofCosta Rica, we have been able to save, to study and to release about 100 organisms of different species. This has enabled us not only to contribute in their survival, but also train national personnel. Based on this, also we have been capable to set research lines to enrich the knowledge and search for solutions against severe impacts, as are bycatch, diseases and malnutrition.

WIDECAST - Costa Rica expects to improve the facilities of the rehabilitation sites, placing water circulation systems, a basic laboratory, as well a place, where necropsies can be done. We hope to be the difference in the survival of many sea turtles in Costa Rica!!!