Overview
Volunteer on a turtle conservation project in Panama

GVI’s leatherback turtle conservation project takes volunteers to live and work on the beautiful Caribbean coast, directly helping to conserve one of the world’s most endangered species. Located on the Bocas del Toro archipelago, this ambitious program by the Endangered Wildlife Trust is essential for the survival of turtle species in Panama’s first National Marine Park.

Much of your time volunteering overseas will be spent patrolling the beaches for nesting turtles; tagging, measuring, monitoring and also relocating nests where necessary. There will also be time to go on expeditions and excursions to explore the beautiful terrain in this part of Panama and experience the great biodiversity that this part of the world has to offer. This program runs during the turtle hatching season, from mid-March to mid-June.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

The project was very worthwhile, professionally run, with a great atmosphere and a real sense of purpose

Emily Adamsdale, 2007 Volunteer

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.