Overview
Volunteer Work with Leatherback Turtles in Panama

By taking part in this valuable volunteer project through GVI you can be instrumental in the long-term survival of internationally-protected endangered turtle species, such as the leatherback turtle. This project is located on the beautiful archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama in Central America the home of the country's first national marine park. Most of your volunteer work will take place at night, when you will join a small team of volunteers to patrol the beaches for egg-laying turtles. In addition to turtle conservation, volunteers will have the chance to explore the local islands where you can see sloths, monkeys, cayman, iguanas, birds and insects.

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Seeing a turtle, all 400kg and 1.5m of her, laying 137 eggs was unbelievable - a sight we will always remember. It left us both in awe!

Emily and Jude Adamsdale, 2008 Volunteers

What Difference Does This Project Make?

2002 saw the hopeful start of a new era for Leatherback turtles in the province of Bocas del Toro, north-eastern Panama. This area had become the worst of the Leatherback killing beaches until our project partners converted a timber hut to accommodate volunteers to help monitor and protect the turtles. Since then, only a single leatherback has been killed and another project has been taken on. All volunteer fees contain a donation towards the charity, Rainforest Concern. The money is typically put towards the purchase of land in the area to help safeguard its future - which is of course one of the organisation's main ongoing concerns.

Highlights

Having the rare opportunity to see leatherbacks nesting and possibly hatchlings; living on a beach in Panama and contributing to valuable conservation research. Island hopping, taking fun side activities such as scuba diving or Spanish Lessons on your days off.

Location

This project takes you to the pristine islands of the Bocas del Toro (mouth of the bull) Archipelago, located on the Caribbean side of Panama near the Costa Rican border. The islands are home to the country's first National Marine park and offer great diving, snorkeling and swimming opportunities in clear Caribbean sea, and the chance to explore diverse ecosystems such as mangroves and rainforest. The study area includes turtle nesting beaches on these islands, and on adjacent mainland areas north and south of the archipelago.

Field Conditions

Volunteers rotate between two bases - one at Changuinola/Soropta Beach and the other on Isla Bastimentos. The accommodation on Bastimentos is very primitive, consisting of little more than a wooden hut. Cooking is done on a gas stove and rainwater is collected for drinking. Toilets are of the latrine variety and bathing is in adjacent rivers. Food is transported to the beaches weekly and volunteers take turns to prepare the meals. On Changuinola, a volunteer house has been constructed, and it’s therefore a little less primitive. Here all meals are provided by a cook. Bucket showers and toilets are available, as well as in-built mosquito screens. Vegetarians are very welcome on this project.