One of RIESTER Foundation’s funded programs is on Corozilito Beach, Costa Rica where we are partnering with PRETOMA, a Costa Rican conservation organization, in a project to protect sea turtles that nest on the beach.  For years conservationists felt that the beach might be an important site for the nesting of sea turtles.

Corozilito Beach is within walking distance of the RIESTER Reserve and is an undeveloped and relatively isolated beach in northwest Costa Rica.

As it turns out, through the Foundation’s efforts, it has been discovered that Corozilito Beach is one of the most significant sea turtle beaches in Central America.  Thousands of turtles lay their eggs on the beach – mostly olive ridley turtles but others too, including the huge and endangered leatherback.

Poachers of turtle eggs are a big problem in Costa Rica. This is a food source with what many believe have Viagra-like properties.  People are known to poach the freshly laid eggs and sell them.

Because of the success of the previous year’s efforts the RIESTER Foundation will continue funding PRETOMA for 2011.  We are the only funders for the Corozilito project.  Currently volunteers from around the world are monitoring the number of turtles that lay eggs nightly, monitoring the nests, measuring and tagging adult turtles for tracking and discouraging poachers on the beach.