Treehouses, Turtles & Tropical Trails: Life at Río Oro Conservation Camp

Conservation
Written By Will Crossley

Nestled in Costa Rica's southwestern corner, the Osa Peninsula is a sanctuary for biodiversity, offering dense rainforests, winding rivers, and unspoiled beaches. Among these beaches, Río Oro and Carate stand out as vital nesting grounds for sea turtles, particularly the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Pacific Green (Chelonia mydas) species. Each year, these beaches host approximately 7,000 Olive Ridley nests and over 350 Pacific Green nests, underscoring their ecological significance. ​

Life at Río Oro Camp

Volunteering with Comunidad Protectora de Tortugas de Osa (COPROT) at their Río Oro camp immerses you in a communal and rustic setting. Accommodation is in a treehouse equipped with bunk beds, fostering camaraderie among volunteers. Shared facilities include toilets, showers, a kitchen, and a communal area. The camp also features a recycling center where collected plastics are repurposed, and a volleyball court that quickly becomes a daily pastime. To cool off, volunteers can visit the "jungle jacuzzi," a serene lagoon formed by a river's end. While the ocean is just meters away, it's essential to remain cautious of local wildlife, including crocodiles and sharks.​

 
 

Volunteer Activities

Volunteers engage in several key conservation activities:

  • Night and Morning Patrols: These involve walking along the beach to identify signs of nesting turtles. Encountering a nesting turtle allows volunteers to collect crucial data and ensure the nest's protection.

  • Nest Inventories (PHI): After a predetermined incubation period, volunteers excavate nests to assess hatching success rates, identify causes of unhatched eggs—such as predation or bacterial issues—and occasionally assist any remaining hatchlings in reaching the ocean.​

  • Camp Maintenance: Tasks include cleaning, beach clean-ups, plastic upcycling projects, community workshops, English lessons, presentations, gardening, and general camp upkeep.

 
 

Wildlife Encounters Around Camp

The camp's surroundings are teeming with diverse wildlife:​

  • Birds: Scarlet macaws frequently soar overhead, their vibrant plumage a visual delight. Brown pelicans are commonly seen gliding along the shoreline.​

  • Mammals: The calls of howler monkeys are a constant backdrop, and sightings of coatis and, with some luck, tapirs are possible in the nearby jungle.​

  • Marine Life: Rivers and larger lagoons are habitats for sizable crocodiles. Observant volunteers might spot dolphins, whales, or even sea turtles in the ocean waters.​

Volunteering at Río Oro offers a unique blend of conservation work and immersive nature experiences, making it an ideal opportunity for those passionate about wildlife and environmental preservation.

Will Crossley
Next

Tricoloured Heron