# Leatherback turtle conservation in Central America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/leatherback-turtle-conservation-in-central-america
> Updated: 2026-08-31T04:18:43.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Leatherback turtle conservation efforts are showing significant results across Central America. In Panama, the critically endangered species has returned to nest on the Pacific coast at El Fondiaderito beach after a nearly ten-year absence. Technical teams and local organizations relocated 178 eggs to an incubation hatchery to protect them from threats, with hatching expected in late 2026.

In Costa Rica, the Pacuare Reserve continues long-term conservation programs on the Caribbean coast. Through year-round activities such as night patrols and nest relocation, the reserve has protected over 1.8 million eggs and released approximately 980,000 hatchlings. Despite these successes, the species remains threatened by human activities, specifically accidental capture in fishing gear.

## Claims

- The Pacuare Reserve has released approximately 980,000 sea turtle hatchlings into the ocean. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Conservation programs at the Pacuare Reserve have protected more than 1.8 million eggs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The reserve receives an average of hundreds of leatherback turtle nests annually. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Accidental capture in fishing gear is a primary threat to leatherback turtles. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Pacuare Reserve conservation efforts protect leatherback turtles in Costa Rica

The Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica has released approximately 980,000 leatherback turtle hatchlings and protected over 1.8 million eggs through dedicated volunteer and scientific conservation programs.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pacuare-reserve-conservation-efforts-protect-leatherback-turtles-in-costa-rica

### 2026-08-23: Panama leatherback turtles return to nest after nearly a decade

Critically endangered leatherback turtles have returned to nest on Panama's Pacific coast at El Fondiaderito after nearly ten years, with 178 eggs moved to hatcheries for protection.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leatherback-sea-turtles-return-to-nest-in-panama-after-decade

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Cite as: Leatherback turtle conservation in Central America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/leatherback-turtle-conservation-in-central-america