Costa Rica’s Battle to Rescue Endangered Hawksbill Turtles: A Tale of Passion and Preservation

In the lush realms of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, a riveting story of resilience and restoration unfolds. Ariana Oporta-McCarthy, a native marine biologist, is on a mission: to save the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). These marine marvels, once abundant, now face dire threats from human exploitation, habitat loss, and environmental degradation.

The Hawksbill Turtle: A Precarious Existence

The Hawksbill turtle, a sea creature of captivating beauty, has been navigating troubled waters for the past 200 years. Exploitation for food and tortoiseshell trade, coupled with the loss of vital nesting habitats and the hazards of pollution, have brought this species to the brink of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s dire warnings about their dwindling numbers are a clarion call for urgent action.

Ariana Oporta-McCarthy: Homegrown Heroine

Enter Ariana Oporta-McCarthy, the president of the Costa Rican Alliance for Sea Turtle Conservation & Science (COASTS). Growing up near Gandoca Beach, a crucial nesting site for Hawksbill turtles, Ariana witnessed first-hand the threats they faced. Inspired by her childhood experiences, she spearheaded a conservation project to safeguard these marine treasures.

Under Ariana’s guidance, the team at COASTS has made groundbreaking strides. From a staggering 100% egg poaching rate, they’ve brought it down to nearly zero. Their relentless efforts have led to the release of over 40,000 hatchlings, the plantation of 500 mangrove trees, and the removal of over four tons of plastic from the nesting beaches.

Reviving Research and Community Engagement

In 2020, Ariana and her team reinvigorated conservation research at the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Their focus? To study the nesting activities and movement of sea turtle populations, with a particular emphasis on the Hawksbill. This endeavor was no small feat, as it meant restarting research after years of dormancy, halting egg poaching, and fostering community involvement.

Ariana’s approach is unique; she believes in empowering the local youth with scientific skills and hands-on experience in turtle conservation. Night patrols, nest relocations, hatchling census, satellite transmitter placements, beach clean-ups, and mangrove plantations are all part of their extensive conservation toolkit.

Recognition and Expansion of the Cause

Ariana’s dedication earned her the title of a 2022 Fellow of the New England Aquarium’s Marine Conservation Action Fund. This acknowledgment and the accompanying funding boosted her team’s efforts, enabling them to reach over 20 schools for environmental education and provide firsthand experience in turtle conservation to students.

Conservation: A Personal Journey

Ariana’s passion for marine life and conservation stems from her childhood in Gandoca. Despite the absence of basic amenities like electricity or potable water, her close bond with the beach and its marine inhabitants was unbreakable. Witnessing a leatherback turtle nest was a defining moment that solidified her life’s mission.

Upon becoming the first in her village to graduate as a biologist in 2013, Ariana co-founded her NGO, reigniting the conservation flame in her hometown. Her message is clear: “We must be the heroes in our own backyards, inspiring our youth to be agents of change.”

A Pan-Central American Effort

Across Central America in El Salvador, Ani Henriquez mirrors Ariana’s commitment. As the Executive Director of Asociacion Procosta, Ani has played a pivotal role in Hawksbill turtle conservation. Her efforts have led to the protection of over 3000 Hawksbill nests and the shift from a 0% to a 99% protection rate, showcasing the critical importance of these nesting areas for the survival of the species.