New Turtle Havens in Colombia

Under increasing pressure throughout the Caribbean, marine turtle populations along Colombia’s northern coast will be able to nest a little easier now after the government created two new protected areas, which cover several vital stretches of beach.

The first is a fully-fledged turtle sanctuary safeguarding the second largest colony of nesting leatherbacks in the western Atlantic as well as a significant number of hawksbills, while the second is a national park preserving not only key nesting sites for threatened leatherbacks, loggerheads and green turtles but also critical feeding grounds.

The government proclaimed the new turtle sanctuary in the Chocó–Darien region in December 2013 to protect 12km of nesting beaches, including Acandí, Playon and La Playona. Over 350 female leatherbacks visit these beaches every year, and when the leatherbacks leave, hawksbills take over. The park’s declaration was strongly supported by WWF-Colombia together with local communities. Now the Colombian National Parks System is working with the community councils to jointly manage the sanctuary, renewing hope for the dwindling turtle populations in this corner of the Caribbean.

And there is also a brighter future now for equally threatened populations of loggerheads, leatherbacks and green turtles that nest further west around the Guajira Peninsula. In a surprise – but extremely welcome – move in December 2014, the government announced the latest addition to Colombia’s national park system with the creation of the Kaurrele Portete Bay National Park. Covering an area of 125 km², it conserves a host of vital habitats, including nesting beaches, mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass beds.

Kaurrele Portete respects the ancestral practices of Wayuu communities, who will be allowed to keep using the bay’s resources in a sustainable and responsible manner so that the area continues to provide food, shelter and nesting grounds for marine turtles, crocodiles and sea birds.

“ Colombia’s protection of these critical nesting sites will benefit the turtle population across the Caribbean because of the migratory nature of turtles. Mark and recapture studies have shown that some of the turtles found in Colombia spend part of their time in Costa Rica and Mexico, so these local conservation efforts will have a regional effect. ”

New turtle havens in Colombia

Under increasing pressure throughout the Caribbean, marine turtle populations along Colombia’s northern coast will be able to nest a little easier now after the government created two new protected areas, which cover several vital stretches of beach.

Kaurrele Portete respects the ancestral practices of Wayuu communities, who will be allowed to keep using the bay’s resources in a sustainable and responsible manner so that the area continues to provide food, shelter and nesting grounds for marine turtles, crocodiles and sea birds.

Diego Amorocho

Species Programme Manager, WWF Latin America and the Caribbean

Learn how WWF also tags turtles in Colombia to help protect them.