Sea Turtle Restoration Program
In an effort to protect the Green (Chelonia mydas) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles that nest on the beaches in the local area, Tiskita started a sea turtle restoration program in 1995. Prior to the program, most sea turtle nests were being poached.
In 1996, Tiskita started collaborating with PRETOMA, a marine conservation organization in Costa Rica. PRETOMA’s sea turtle restoration program includes relocating nests to a protected hatchery in Punta Banco.
So far, over 50,000 hatchlings were released into the ocean from nests that were relocated to the hatchery.
The restoration program is currently being re-evaluated. In the near future, a new program will start with increased involvement of the local community. Tiskita is helping the local community with the development of the new program.