Volunteering Abroad - Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica
Introduction
Experience marine and rainforest expedition life in this
biodiversity hotspot.
This adventurous expedition offers individuals the opportunity
to explore, live and work in the most remote region of Costa Rican
rainforest on the Caribbean Coast. The main projects are based upon
turtle research, Jaguar research, mammal camera traps, bird
monitoring, exploration of the National Park and Wildlife Refuge,
environmental assessments, environmental education and a short
‘Introduction to TEFL’. Some of the research projects take place a
long distance from base and so expedition members have the
opportunity to camp out in groups away from the base and to explore
the regions forests and beaches. In addition, our partner GVI
arranges an included Canopy tour in the treetops of the Tortuguero
rainforest, as a thank you for all your hard work through the
expedition.
Expedition members are based at a biological field station
surrounded by tropical rainforest with regular sightings of Howler
and Spider monkeys from the dinner table, and sits on a forest
waterway, a short canoe paddle from the beach. There is no road
access to the region and so all transportation is via kayak, canoe
and motor canoes, through the stunning canals and rivers,
surrounded by tropical rainforest and its associated wildlife. A
brief but intensive training period prepares expedition members for
a variety of exciting and adventurous conservation projects.
Our partner GVI's work is carried out on behalf of and in
conjunction with local, national and international partners.
In addition to COTERC (Canadian Organisation for Tropical
Education and Rainforest Conservation), with whom the station is
shared, GVI is working the Costa Rican National Parks (MINAE) to
develop and sustain long term conservation of the Tortuguero area.
The expedition plays a vital role in the development and management
of long term wildlife conservation in the National Park and
wildlife refuge and in community education programmes in the
area.
Location
If you are looking for a rainforest adventure with the added
bonus of tropical beaches and marine wildlife, then this is
definitely the one for you. The expedition base is situated next to
a waterway, with a boat dock, surrounded by rainforest, with
monkeys, caiman, otters and other wildlife regularly sighted from
base, depending upon your luck. Across the waterway there is the
nearby beach, a short canoe ride away. There is no road access to
the region and so all transportation is via kayak, canoe and motor
canoes, through the stunning canals and rivers, surrounded by
tropical rainforest and its associated wildlife. The area
surrounding the station is protected primary and secondary forest
and the station is located at the very southern border of Barra
Colorado Wildlife Refuge, which together with the National Park
makes up more than 120,000 ha of protected forest.
Tortuguero village is a typical sleepy Caribbean village, with a
population of about 800 made up of Nicaraguans, Costa Ricans and
descendents from the Caribbean islands. Tortuguero is 20 minutes by
motor canoe from the station and the nearest village of San
Francisco (200) is reached by a short paddle and a 20 minute walk.
The forest itself is one of the largest areas of protected tropical
wet forest in Costa Rica and the beach along Tortuguero is home to
the largest nesting colonies of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)
in the world. About 25,000 females come to this particular beach to
nest each year and is also an important beach for other endangered
species of sea turtles. The nesting beach GVI is working on is to
the north of Tortuguero River, which still receives a good number
of Green turtles and Leatherback turtles.
Due to the extensive area of the Wildlife refuge and the
National Park, GVI operates several overnight camps in the further
reaches of the reserves to allow us to conduct research from these
areas. These are always great adventures with opportunities to see
additional wildlife in areas that are seldom visited by others.
Considering its small size, Costa Rica contains more species of
plants and animals than any other country in the world. Its
wildlife is also distinctly accessible, one of the things Costa
Rica is so well known for. This amazing biodiversity is partly due
to its geographical location; as the centre of two huge continental
masses and a barrier between two oceans in the tropics which
results in a wide variety of landscapes and habitats. It truly is
an amazing part of the world to visit and experience, and thus an
incredibly worthwhile area to work on conservation projects in.
Field Conditions
Accommodation is pleasantly rustic and dormitory style, in a
beautiful clearing of the forest. The wildlife viewing
opportunities from camp are second to none! All food will be
prepared by the expedition team on a rotational basis, basic but
typical local food will be the staple diet. There is electricity in
every building, running (cold) water and thus flushing toilets and
refreshingly cool showers as well as laundry facilities. The phone
line is for emergency and staff use only.
Supply trips and weekly visits to the village of Tortuguero
(approx. 800 inhabitants) offer access to an airstrip, small shops,
a couple of bars and restaurants, a football pitch and internet
facilities. Several tourist lodges are situated along the river
near Tortuguero as well as a local tourist lodge on the beach
located directly across from the biological station. The other
little village of San Francisco (approx. 200 inhabitants) where GVI
teaches English, is situated closer to the biological
station, about 3 km (20 min walk & canoe) away.
If you would like more information about our partners GVI please
contact our whydontyou sales team.
Quick links:
Volunteering Abroad, Wildlife
Conservation - Costa Rica - itinerary
Volunteering Abroad, Wildlife
Conservation - Costa Rica - factfile
Volunteering Abroad, Wildlife
Conservation - Costa Rica - dates & prices
Volunteering Abroad, Wildlife
Conservation - Costa Rica - booking enquiry
Volunteering Abroad, Wildlife
Conservation - Costa Rica - before you go
Ref:Coastal Rainforest and Wildlife Expedition in
Costa Rica - (GV0006)
