Ostional Wildlife Refuge is one of the two most important areas in the world for Olive Ridley Sea Turtle nesting, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles arrive once a month and stay for a three to five day stretch on the beach while laying their eggs.
However, this year hundreds of tourists crowded the beach at Ostional Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica in order to witness the mass synchronized nesting for which Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are famous.
Unfortunately, the tourists acted irresponsibly, blocking the path to nesting grounds, standing atop nests, touching and in some instances even placing their children on turtles for photo opportunities.
This had an obvious negative impact; many of the turtles were forced to return to sea without laying their eggs.
The Wildlife Refuge is protected by only two park rangers who, even with the help of three National Police officers, were overwhelmed by the large crowd.
Carlos Hernandez, manager of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, stated that measures are already being taken to ensure this situation never happens again.
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles have an adult carapace length averaging 60 to 70 cm and can weigh as much as 110 pounds.
Of the seven species of sea turtles, the Kemp’s Ridley, and Hawksbill sea turtles are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “Critically Endangered”, the Loggerhead and Green as “Endangered”, the Olive Ridley and Leatherback as “Vulnerable”.
Hundreds of ignorant tourists crowded nesting site of olive ridley sea turtles in Costa Rica and acted inappropriately, even putting kids on turtle for photos.
Source: Tourists disrupt nesting of olive ridley sea turtles at Ostional Wildlife Refuge | GrindTV.com
