SAVE THE TURTLE PROJECT

Iguana Lodge is the sole sponsor of the Save the Osa Turtle Project (ASTO). On our beautiful six mile beach four species of turtles lay eggs. From May through December they heave their bodies out of the pristine water of the Golfo Dulce to lay their hundred or so eggs on our beach. We hire guard(s) to walk the beach at night and maintain the turtle hatchery. We work with other turtle projects around Costa Rica, and depending upon the circumstances a particular nest may be relocated into our hatchery where approximately forty-five days later, the eggs hatch and then we watch as the little ones run into the sea. Pretty neat, eh? You can come down and watch this all unfold. (Walking the beach at 1 A.M during the rainy season can be quite a treat...although it is not a mandatory guest activity.)

We are trying to raise support for our project in a variety of ways...financial and technical. We also try to influence attitudes among the locals regarding turtles and their ever growing rarity. Unfortunately, over time some Costa Ricans and their dogs have come to love the taste of turtle eggs (whether or not they are an aphrodisiac is something we will never know... and the dogs aren't talking). We have had generous donations from the Arntz Family Foundation and Mindy Brooks, as well as hundreds of additional guests. If you are a turtle expert and interested in volunteering your time for room and board, please contact us.