Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge
The Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica was
created to protect the extensive mangrove swamps of the region,
when locals saw the encroaching developments and high rise
developments that were creeping in on Tamarindo and believed
that these developments would destroy much of the area and its
beautiful beaches. This region contains many types of mangrove
species that have flourished here for centuries and include the
black mangrove, buttonwood mangrove, white mangrove and tea
mangrove, with a multitude of birds making their homes in these
swamps that include the blue heron, muscovy duck, egret and
white ibis, as well as the leatherback turtles. The leatherbacks
are the biggest of the sea turtles, growing up to be 6 to 8 feet
long and up to 1500 pounds, with a thick skin covering that has
earned them the name leatherbacks. These turtles will lay up to
200 eggs at one time in one night, and many tours will bring you
here in the evening to watch for the hatchlings as they emerge
from their nests and head towards the ocean waters and life.
These unique turtles was another reason for protecting the park,
who come here from November to April to lay their eggs and then
head into the waters off the coast.
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