Leatherback turtle numbers have plummeted because of unsustainable fishing practices, egg poaching and damage to their nesting beaches by tourism. But tourism can also offer a solution, and when fishing communities and poachers realise that more money can be made from taking tourists to see turtles, and that a simple change of fishing hooks and practices can save the species, the solutions benefit all concerned – not least the turtles.


Funds generated from viewers votes will enable beach surveys, anti-poaching activities, work with hotels to minimise light pollution, and with fishing boat owners to adopt 'turtle-friendly' fishing systems. It will allow us to protect an additional 3,000 hatchlings on their way to the sea. If we can convert two fishing vessels to turtle-friendly gear and techniques, we will save close to 200 juvenile and adult marine turtles a year.


Costa Rica contains 5% of the world's biodiversity. A quarter of the country comprises protected forests and reserves. Costa Rica hosts an astonishing 205 mammal, 279 bird and 258 reptile species. These include pelicans, frigate birds, whales, dolphins and sharks.

The Pacific coast plays host to Olive Ridley, green and leatherback turtles. The Caribbean shore hosts green, hawksbill, leatherbacks and loggerheads.

More than a million tourists a year visit Costa Rica, putting additional strain on the wild areas.