Marine turtle nesting track survey on Playa de Coco, Nicaragua, and Playa Vigilada (Pacuare) and Tortuguero, Costa Rica, July 2013

Abstract

Marine turtle tracks were observed on the beaches of Playa de Coco (Pacific, southwest Nicaragua; latitude 11.15382 , longitude 85.80051; WGS 84 ), Playa Vigilada (Pacuare; latitude 10.20123, longitude 83.25925) and Tortuguero (Caribbean, Costa Rica; latitude 10.59583, longitude 83.52520) during the early morning hours. Number of sea turtle tracks were counted along a transect. This was done by walking along the shore every morning to look for specific tracks that matched the tracks of sea turtle species. Maximum number of tracks observed was 8, while the minimum number obsereved was 0. Tracks had distinct features with flipper tracks visible on the edges of the tracts with a single line down the middle were the tail would drag. Tracks were seen to go straight onto the shore while some came up the shore and curved slightly before going back to the ocean. Tracks were observed near resturants and hotels. We observed Olive Ridely sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea, TSN 173840) in Playa de Coco, hatchling Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea, TSN 173843), and Green sea turtles (Chelonya mydas, TSN173833) in Playa Vigilada and Tortuguero,