Turtle conservation in Panama at Soropta and Playa Larga
In Panama the Endangered Wildlife Trust has two projects, one at SOROPTA and the other at PLAYA LARGA, for the protection and conservation of the giant leatherback turtles, a critically endangered species.
WHY PANAMA?
These projects were started in 2002 when many Leatherback turtles were being slaughtered in Panama, where it was customary to eat the meat of the Leatherback, as well as its eggs. The worst of the killing beaches was a stretch of about 6 kms of Soropta beach, 15 kms from the Costa Rican border, where about 35 turtles were killed annually. With a colony of only a few hundred females, that was the path to extinction.
A beautiful Leatherback Turtle on Soropta Beach
Although both projects are an easy boat-ride from Bocas del Toro (known simply as 'Bocas'), the popular resort on the island of Colon, they protect beaches which are isolated and unspoilt.
The SOROPTA project started in 2002 with the purchase of some land behind the beach and the building of accommodation for a biologist, a few local guards and up to 15 volunteers. During the leatherback season, March to June, the beach is patrolled every night, turtles are tagged and some nests relocated to a protected hatchery.
Environmental education is an important part of the programme and our biologists visit local schools to talk about conservation and the need to protect the turtles. We employ eight men from the local indigenous community as beach guards and assistants at Soropta. We also work with local groups on neighbouring San-San and Sixaola beaches to provide incentive and some organization for protection of their beach.
We work with local groups to teach them about the importance of turtle conservation
PLAYA LARGA, the other beach project we have taken on, is very different. While Soropta is on the mainland, Playa Larga is a golden sand beach on the island of Bastimentos. Because it lies within a National Park, we do not own any land or buildings there but base the project around a beach hut, which we renovate annually.
Playa Larga has fewer Leatherbacks than Soropta but it attracts a significant number of Hawksbill turtles. These are normally targeted by poachers for their beautiful shell (wrongly known as tortoise shell) but the isolation of Playa Larga ensures there is almost no poaching.
Playa Larga
A biologist and up to six volunteers run the project, doing the same work as at Soropta but without the threat of such heavy poaching.
Playa Larga appeals to those looking for the "Robinson Crusoe" life. It is an idyllic beach with hardly ever a tourist. Food is delivered once a week and the volunteers cook for themselves (Soropta employs a cook).
We greatly value volunteers, not only for their practical and financial contribution towards keeping these projects going, but also for spreading the word about the need for turtle conservation.
