| Academics |
Course Description
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of sea turtle biology including evolution, anatomy, species identification, life history, reproduction, and nesting behavior. A lecture is given on research techniques and monitoring techniques that they will partake in during their time at the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. There are also discussions on the impacts of eco-tourism, pros, cons, and a paper assigned in response to time spent doing adventure tourism as well as in anticipation of the tourism industry surrounding turtles in Tortuguero. Students will live in the John H. Phipps Biological Field working with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation. Students will be assisting biologists on the longest continuing sea turtle research program in the world by helping to measure turtles counting eggs, marking nests, recording data, conducting track surveys and nest checks. Students work in teams at night with the researchers during four-hour shifts, in the morning conducting nest and track surveys and in the afternoons evaluating nesting and hatching success. The students continue their lecture series learning about physiological aspects of migration, genetics, ecology, and carrying capacity. To supplement the biological discussions, we have two discussions about more generalized conservation and worldwide status issues. |
Course Objectives/Outcomes
By completion of the course, each student should attain:
- An in depth knowledge of local sea turtle populations including lifecycles, feeding, mating and nesting behaviors and migratory patterns
- A strong knowledge of current conservation issues facing these populations, including the role of culture and social issues in developing conservation strategies
- An understanding of conservation techniques and theories being used to recover depleted sea turtle populations
- A knowledge History of Tortuguero National Park and Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s role in establishing current environmental policies in Tortuguero, in Costa Rica and internationally
- Ability to identify various types of sea turtles
- Ability to interpret sea turtle behaviors
- A strong knowledge of current sea turtle monitoring techniques
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Lecture Topics
- Cultural dynamics
- Natural History of Costa Rica and Tortuguero
- Sea Turtle Biology 1
- Sea Turtle Monitoring and Research Techniques (CCC Specific)
- Sea Turtle Biology II
- History and Work of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC)
- Sea Turtle Biology III
- Sea Turtle Ecology
- Worldwide Status of Sea Turtles
- Sea Turtle Conservation Strategies
- Dolphin Biology
- Dolphin Behavior
- Tropical marine biology
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Field Studies and exercises
- Night time beach patrol and turtle surveys
- Sea Turtle nest excavation
- Mangrove tour
- Oral history and interview of local stakeholders
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