Trinidad's Leatherback Sea Turtles

  Trinidad & Tobago

Port of Spain

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: see website for details

Description: On The Expedition

Each night under swaying palms and bright tropical stars, your team will patrol sections of the beach with the staff and volunteers of Nature Seekers. In peak season, you may find as many as 150 sea turtles nesting each night. At every encounter, you'll tag, measure, and weigh these turtles--which can grow as long as 2 meters/6.5 feet and weigh up to 900 kilograms/2000 lbs!--and collect other data crucial for local and worldwide conservation efforts. Since green and hawskbill turtles also nest in the area, you may record some data on them, as well.

After sleeping late in each morning, you can spend your afternoon visiting the howler monkeys in a nearby forest, swimming in the river, hiking the local trails, or bird watching. You will also enjoy getting to know the people of this friendly Caribbean island.

You'll share double rooms and enjoy the modern conveniences of flush toilets and showers in a large and comfortable guesthouse next to the Nature Seekers office. Hearty home-cooked meals of traditional fare, including Trinidadian chicken and beans in brown sauce, are bountiful and delicious. The guesthouse is a 20-minute ride through the Matura forest from the field site, so keep your eyes open each day to spot owls, fireflies, frogs, and a whole range of jungle wildlife!

Note: Teens and Families are allowed for this expedition.

Highlights: Matura Beach, Trinidad -- This tropical island off the coast of Venezuela is known for its vibrant ethnic diversity and rich cultural events. It is also the site of one of the most important nesting beaches for endangered leatherback turtles, enormous reptiles that can weigh a ton and dive deeper than many whales. Each year, more than 2,000 female leatherbacks haul themselves onto Matura Beach to lay their eggs.

With leatherback populations declining more quickly than any other large animal in modern history, each turtle is precious. You can help an internationally acclaimed community organization, Nature Seekers, patrol this nesting beach and collect information on visiting and (depending on the season) hatching turtles. Take this opportunity to get up close to what's been called "the last living dinosaur," while helping prevent its extinction.

Cost in US$: 2,746

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18-93

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Trinidad & Tobago Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-15

Scholarships are Available. - K-12 Teacher Scholarships available

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971