Leatherbacks Numbers Erroneous, Biologist Says

Leatherbacks Numbers Erroneous, Biologist Says

Biology expert Freddy Pacheco has contested the veracity of a statement released by Centre of Tropical Science (CCT) last week indicating the numbersof leatherback turtles that nested in Playa Grande, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, doubled during the 2005-06 nesting season (TT, March 24).
In a statement released March 24 by theUniversidad Nacional (UNA) in Heredia, north of San Jose, UNA researcher Pacheco objects to the consecutive yearly comparison in the number of nesting turtles.
“From a biological point of view, it isimpossible to think that from one year to the next the number of nesting females can de compared, because it is known that turtles that nest one year, are not the same ones that have nested in at leastthe past two years,” he said in the statement.
The biologist added that it is “unthinkable” that an increase in the number of nesting leatherbacks could have resulted from conservationist efforts inthe area.
The 107 leatherbacks that reportedly arrived at Playa Grande from October 1, 2005 to March 15 should not be compared to the 55 leatherbacks recorded in the 2004-05 nesting season.
“Insteadof launching false campaigns to justify their trivial work, (the 107 leatherbacks) should be compared to the 1367 turtles that nested there 15 years ago. Only that way will the necessary awareness beraised to fight for their survival,” Pacheco said.
However, Center of Tropical Science Executive Director Enrique Ramirez told The Tico Times the results of their turtle studies are purelyscientific.

Biólogo dice, Que números de las Tortugas Baulas son erróneos

El experto en biología Freddy Pacheco ha puesto en duda la veracidad de una declaración dada a conocer por el Centro de CienciaTropical (CCT) la semana pasada que indica el número de tortugas Baula que anidan en Playa Grande, en la noroccidental provincia de Guanacaste, se duplicó durante la temporada 2005-06 de anidación...