By Wendy Anders

Police on duty in Limón on Costa Rica’s Atlantic coast may feel more like environmentalists than public safety workers lately.

Since leatherback sea turtle eggs they have held in a protected area started hatching a few days ago, the officials have been busy getting the hatchlings to the beach in the evening and night hours for their entry into the sea, reported the Ministry of Public Security yesterday.

Moín beach is the site for the officials who have a break from their usual duty patrolling conflictive neighborhoods, or stopping suspicious vehicles or individuals.

When leatherback turtles started nesting at the beginning of March, some laid their eggs in unsafe areas, stated the Security Ministry in a press document. Together with local conservationists, the police provided transportation for the eggs to a nearby nursery where the eggs could develop safely until their hatching.

This week police have released at least 200 hatchlings into the ocean as the first eggs have started to hatch.

“This is a task which fills us with pride. Several months ago we fought against turtle nest poachers; and now to be able to return them to the sea is very gratifying,” said Nelson Barquero, subdirector of the Limón police force.

During turtle nesting periods, the police and coast guard undertake regular night time and dawn inspections and patrols along beaches and river mouths that are vulnerable to poachers, stated the Security Ministry,

Police provide protection for conservationists who work to protect nesting and hatchling sea turtles, as well as providing logistical support and assistance for transfering eggs to and from their hatching site so they can enter the sea.