Critically Endangered Leatherback Turtles Nest in Panama After Decade-Long Absence

A beacon of hope for conservation efforts, the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle has returned to nest on Panama's Pacific coast after an absence of nearly ten years. The significant rediscovery occurred at El Fondiaderito beach in the Jaqué community, Darién province, where researchers documented three separate nesting events during the current season.

This reappearance is particularly vital for the species, which has experienced a drastic population decline across the Eastern Pacific. While leatherbacks maintain a more consistent presence in Panama's Caribbean waters, their prolonged absence from the Pacific coast had raised serious concerns among scientists and conservationists regarding the health of regional populations.

In response to this encouraging development, a collaborative effort involving community members, the Jaqué Marine Turtle and Biodiversity Protection Organization, and the Ministry of Environment's Darién regional technical staff successfully protected 178 eggs. These eggs were carefully relocated to an incubation nursery, a precautionary measure against threats such as predation and beach erosion. Hatchlings are anticipated between September and October.

The protection of these nests is crucial, given the dire status of the leatherback sea turtle in the Eastern Pacific. Since the 1980s, the species' population has plummeted by over 95%, with significant reductions observed in historically important nesting grounds like Mexico and Costa Rica. Threats including bycatch in fisheries, nest poaching, marine pollution, habitat degradation, and the impacts of climate change continue to imperil their survival.