From mid-March to the end of September we run our Turtle Protection Programme, in which all our visitors are encouraged to participate.

There is accommodation to suit all visitors - individual volunteers, school groups, or those looking for more comfort and privacy.

Under the supervision of a marine biologist, the beach is patrolled every night by small groups of volunteers, a guide and our beach guards. Each turtle we meet is tagged (if not already tagged), measured and examined for any special features or signs of injury.

If the turtle has already laid, we try to disguise the nest from poachers. If she has still to lay, we may collect the eggs in a bag while she lays and then place them in an artificial nest which we dig nearby and which can be more easily camouflaged from poachers. We also do this when the turtle has chosen to lay too near the sea as seawater will kill the eggs by making the shell non-porous.

Leatherbacks nest around seven times during the nesting season at intervals of about 10 days. They lay about 80 fertile eggs in each nest.

Excavating the nest for stragglers

All visitors can participate in the beach work and can help to measure a turtle, read a tag or count the eggs as they fall.

The patrolling of the beach takes place in groups throughout the night, with each group always accompanied by a guide or biologist. A typical patrol may take from three to five hours, depending on the number of turtles coming to nest. The beach guards patrol the beach all night.

Turtle Volunteers helping to clear the beach

Volunteers painting

An Environment class at Pacuare Reserve for local Turtle Volunteers