The Sea Turtles Are Arriving in Ostional

On the pacific coast of Costa Rica, thousands of sea turtles have arrived and continue to do so in the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. It’s definitely a beautiful sight to see that you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the area or close to it. The nesting area is filling up fast, with more sea turtles expected to arrive within the next few days.

One of the guides from the refuge, Yamilet Baltodano, had this to say on the mass incoming of the sea turtles;

“We have estimated that up to 100,000 sea turtles have arrived thus far. We are expecting much more to reach the nesting area once the hatchlings begin to emerge from their eggs. Within this year alone this is one of the largest waves of sea turtles nesting that we’ve seen. They arrive throughout the year, with the highest numbers between the months of September and November, approximately.”

Since Monday, 11,000 olive ridley sea turtles have arrived at the Guanacaste nesting site.

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

 These turtles can weigh as much as 220 pounds and are protected through the strict regulations made by the refuge for visitors who want to see their arrival and be around such a beautiful chain of events. Each turtle can lay up to 105 eggs on average at one time. When the clusters of eggs from multiple turtles hatch on the refuge’s beach, it’s one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

What could be better than watching thousands of baby olive ridley sea turtles make their first journey into the ocean to begin their life?

A year later the same turtles return to take part in the gathering and lay their own eggs, which will spark the mass movement for next year.

The Rules Following La Arribada

La arribada, or “the arrival”, has some rules to it, however. Following the regulations that were set in the mid 1980’s, only 10 people are allowed to be in one group at one time. This includes the guide, as well.

Lights and flash photography are strictly prohibited from taking place because of the disorienting effect it can have on the turtles, both newly hatched and old. Once night falls all cell phones, artificial lights and flash photography are banned to ensure that the mass movement and the laying of eggs will not be disrupted.

Human Intervention to Ensure Survival

Each year volunteers from the refuge can be spotted combing the nesting grounds to take eggs into their care. Unfortunately, only 1% of these hatchlings have a change to survive, whether it be because of poachers, sea life, or human consumption.

While not everyone is happy with this happening, it ensures that the baby sea turtles have a good chance at life and are given a jump start to make sure that they survive.

Watching This Even Unfold

Spectators should know that refuge officials and park rangers have a number of regulations in place to ensure the safety of the turtles and to educate the many visitors who come to watch such an event. Protecting this area and the turtles while they lay their eggs is extremely importa

Images from: Sea turtle lay eggs at beach, Costa Rica.

Article ID Number 9169

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.