154 baby leatherback sea turtles that were born in the rescue center built by APM Terminals next to the new Container Terminal, were released at Moín Beach in Limón.

A group of biologists from the Tropical Scientific Center looks after the eggs at the rescue center to protect them from poachers and predators, it also works on relocating nests that turtles have left very close to the tide line.

“The first year it was very hard, but now we can say that with the help of all parties involved we have recovered the beach from poachers. Out of 10 nests we manage to rescue 8”, explained Erick Alguera from the Tropical Scientific Center.

So far in 2017, 226 nests have been protected and the center has released 810 newborn seaturtles.

APM terminals has an Environment Management Department that currently works in 12 different programs for the conservation of flora and fauna. Aside from leatherback turtles they have also rescued eggs from hawksbill sea turtles and green turtles that nest in the area. The program has been in place for five years.

Turtles that are released and manage to survive will return to this same beach in 25 years to lay their eggs.