Turtles Return
The residents of several small towns in the vicinity of the Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge – in the Nicoya Peninsula, on the Pacific -, as well as foreigners visiting the area witnessed the first mass arrival of parrot turtles to the site after it was declared a protected area in 1994.

The refuge, which encompasses forest and marine areas, was known as a solitary spawning site, because turtles arrived one by one, and only a few of them at any given time.

Now, wardens counted no less than 2,500 in 24 hours, a displayed never seen there before. Some 15 years ago, 800 to 1,000 parrot turtles arrived at Camaronal in October and November.

“We have been monitoring the turtles for three years and had never seen that many. It’s impressive. We are happy now because, apparently, the turtles are coming back home,” said refuge director Kenner Quiros.