Join GVI’s leatherback turtle conservation project as a volunteer and live on the beautiful Caribbean coast of Panama while directly helping to conserve one of the world’s most endangered species. Located on the Bocas del Toro (mouth of the Bull) archipelago, this ambitious conservation program by the Endangered Wildlife Trust is essential to the survival of turtle species in Panama’s first National Marine Park.

As a volunteer on this project, you will spend much of your time patrolling the beaches, searching for nesting turtles. When you find them, you will tag and measure them, and monitor their behaviour, relocating nests where necessary. You will also have time to go on expeditions and excursions, you can explore the beautiful terrain in this part of Panama and experience the great biodiversity that this part of the world has to offer. This program only runs during the turtle hatching season, from mid-March to mid-June.

*How this program makes a difference*

In 2002 new era began for Leatherback turtles in the province of Bocas del Toro, north-eastern Panama. This area had become the worst beach for the killing of Leatherbacks until GVI’s project partners converted a small timber hut into accommodations for volunteers to help monitor and protect the turtles. Since that time, only a single leatherback has been killed and another project has been taken on. All volunteer fees contain a donation towards the charity, Rainforest Concern. The money is generally used to purchase land in the area to help safeguard its future - which is of course one of the organization’s main ongoing concerns.

Highlights:

• Rare opportunity to see leatherbacks nesting
• Live on a beach in Panama
• Contribute to valuable conservation research
• Go Island hopping
• Fun side activities
• Scuba diving
• Spanish Lessons

Please visit the GVI website for more information on this program: http://www.gviusa.com/projects/Central%20America/Panama/volunteer-turtles-project-panama/home