It would be a tragedy—not only for Costa Ricans, known proudly as Ticos, but for all of humanity—to lose one of the planet’s most ancient and majestic creatures: the endangered leatherback turtle, the largest sea turtle on Earth. This remarkable animal has traveled the oceans for more than 100 million years, surviving mass extinctions, climate shifts, and the rise and fall of countless species. Yet today, its greatest threat is not nature—it is us.
Protecting the leatherback turtle is not merely about saving a species. It is about preserving history, balance, and our shared responsibility as stewards of the planet.
The Largest Sea Turtle in the World
The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is truly extraordinary. Unlike other sea turtles, it does not have a hard shell. Instead, its body is covered with a leathery, rubber-like skin, giving the species its name. Adults can grow up to seven feet in length and weigh over 1,500 pounds, making them the largest turtles alive today.
Their massive front flippers allow them to migrate thousands of miles across the open ocean, traveling between feeding and nesting grounds. Leatherbacks are known to dive deeper than any other sea turtle, reaching depths of more than 4,000 feet in search of jellyfish—their primary food source.
Costa Rica is one of the most important nesting sites for leatherback turtles in the world, particularly along the Pacific coast, including beaches such as Playa Grande, Playa Langosta, and other protected areas within national parks and wildlife refuges.
An Ancient Creature Facing Modern Threats
Despite their size and strength, leatherback turtles are incredibly vulnerable. Global populations have declined dramatically over the last several decades. In some regions, nesting numbers have dropped by more than 90 percent.
The threats they face are almost entirely human-made:
1. Loss of Nesting Beaches
Coastal development, beachfront hotels, artificial lighting, and road construction disrupt nesting sites. Bright lights confuse hatchlings, causing them to crawl inland instead of toward the ocean, where they often die from exhaustion, dehydration, or predators.
2. Plastic Pollution
Leatherbacks mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish. Ingesting plastic can block their digestive systems, leading to starvation and death. Plastic pollution is now one of the greatest dangers facing all marine life.
3. Fishing Industry Impacts
Leatherbacks frequently become entangled in fishing nets, longlines, and other gear. Many drown because they cannot surface for air.
4. Poaching and Egg Harvesting
In some areas, turtle eggs are still taken due to outdated traditions or economic necessity. While cultural practices must be respected, they cannot justify the extinction of a species.
Why Leatherback Turtles Matter
Leatherback turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. By feeding primarily on jellyfish, they help control jellyfish populations, which can otherwise explode and disrupt fish stocks and coral reefs.
Their nesting behavior also contributes nutrients to coastal ecosystems. Unhatched eggs provide food for plants and animals, enriching beach environments.
When we lose a species like the leatherback, we do not lose just one animal—we weaken the entire web of life connected to it.
Costa Rica’s Role in Leatherback Conservation
Costa Rica has long been a leader in environmental protection and conservation. The country has established marine protected areas, national parks, and wildlife refuges to safeguard critical nesting beaches.
Organizations, scientists, park rangers, and volunteers work tirelessly to:
- Monitor nesting sites
- Protect eggs from poaching
- Relocate nests when necessary
- Educate local communities and visitors
Night patrols during nesting season help ensure that mother turtles can lay their eggs undisturbed and that hatchlings safely reach the sea.
These conservation efforts have already shown success in some areas, proving that human intervention can make a positive difference when guided by respect and science.
The Moral Responsibility of Humanity
As humans, we possess something no other species has: the ability to consciously protect or destroy. We have the technology, knowledge, and resources to prevent extinction—yet too often we fail to act.
Outdated customs, short-term profits, and convenience cannot justify the permanent loss of a species that has existed for millions of years. When a species disappears, it is gone forever. No technology can bring it back.
Protecting leatherback turtles is not an inconvenience—it is a moral obligation.
Ecotourism: Protection Through Education
One of the most effective ways to protect leatherback turtles is through responsible ecotourism. In Costa Rica, guided turtle-watching tours are carefully regulated to ensure minimal disturbance to nesting turtles.
When done correctly, ecotourism:
- Generates income for local communities
- Provides alternatives to egg poaching
- Educates visitors about conservation
- Creates emotional connections between people and wildlife
Visitors who witness a leatherback turtle nesting under the moonlight often leave transformed, carrying the message of conservation back to their own countries.
What Can We Do to Help?
Protecting leatherback turtles is not only the responsibility of scientists or governments—it belongs to all of us.
Here are simple but powerful ways individuals can help:
- Reduce plastic use and properly dispose of waste
- Support conservation organizations
- Choose sustainable seafood
- Respect nesting beaches and wildlife laws
- Educate others about endangered species
- Volunteer when possible
Every small action contributes to a larger movement.
A Reflection on Loss and Identity
As your words wisely state, “If we do not protect our environment, we will lose part of our history—and in the process, lose part of ourselves.” This could not be more true.
Leatherback turtles are living links to Earth’s distant past. They remind us that life on this planet is ancient, resilient, and interconnected. Allowing them to vanish would be an irreversible failure of our generation.
Let Us Unite Our Efforts
Let us unite—not just as Costa Ricans or tourists—but as global citizens. Let us move beyond outdated customs and short-term thinking. Let us choose respect over exploitation and responsibility over convenience.
Costa Rica has shown the world that conservation and progress can coexist. By protecting the leatherback turtle, we protect not only a species, but a symbol of endurance, balance, and hope.
A Final Thank You
Thank you, Christian, for your wise and heartfelt words. They remind us that conservation is not only about science and policy—it is about values, compassion, and love for the planet we all share.
Let us protect the leatherback turtle of Costa Rica—for the turtles, for the oceans, and for future generations.