Conservation and reproductive activity of olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Punta Banco, a solitary nesting beach in south Pacific Costa Rica: Management recommendations after sixteen years of monitoring

Published source details Munoz S.V. & Arauz R. (2015) Conservación y actividad reproductiva de tortuga lora (Lepidochelys olivacea) en la playa de anidación solitaria Punta Banco, Pacifico Sur de Costa Rica. Recomendaciones de manejo a través de dieciséis años de monitoreo. Revista de Biología Tropical, 63, 383-394.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles Action Link

Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles

A study in 1996–2011 on a sandy beach in Costa Rica (Munoz & Arauz 2015) found that the majority of olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea eggs relocated to a fenced on-beach hatchery hatched and most hatchlings made it to the sea. Of 1,703 olive ridley turtle nests relocated to a beach hatchery, 78% of eggs hatched (120,015 eggs) and 22% did not (33,986). Of the eggs that hatched, 77% (117,886) emerged successfully and made it to water and 1% (2,129) died. Of nests left in situ, 8 were predated and 566 experienced egg looting. In July–December 1996–2011, nesting activity was monitored by nightly beach patrols (two 3 h patrols/night, 2,401 nights and 2,535 successful nesting events). Turtles were individually marked when encountered (1,239 olive ridleys) and 1,703 (67%) nests (154,001 eggs) were moved to an on-beach hatchery on the beach behind the tide line within 6 h of being laid. The remaining nests (832, 33%) were left in situ. The hatchery was protected by a 2 m high fence buried 40 cm into the sand. Sand in the hatchery was replaced annually. Nests were excavated after hatching due dates to check hatching success.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)