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Act Now to Save Las Baulas National Park Leatherback Protections

The Costa Rican government votes very soon on the controversial law that would degrade LasBaulas National Park to a mere national wildlife refuge. New Presidenta Laura Chinchilla takes office May 8, 2010.

Populations of Pacific leatherback sea turtles have crashed by 90 percent over the past two decades and are not recovering. During Oscar Arias’ administration, private development interests relentlesly attacked Costa Rica’s Leatherback Marine National Park (Las Baulas) located along the country’s northern Pacific Coast.

Thanks go out to our Board member and Costa Rican native Randall Arauz, who notified us of this critical development at noon today.

Send this new letter below urging rejection of Law Project 17.383 and supporting leatherback conservation before development profits.

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Subject:

Your Letter:

I have just been informed the vote on Law Project 17.383 is very soon, and strongly urge you to reject this short-sighted law. Please do not allow Las Baulas National Park to be downgraded to a wildlife refuge, which would allow its beaches to open up to coastal construction projects for tourism.

At a time when actions around the world are focused on preventing the extinction of the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle, Costa Rica's proposed action is unthinkable. If legislation (Bill 17.383) to remove national park status from Las Baulas passes, it will undermine Costa Rica's reputation as a leader in conservation and will forever destroy your "Peace with Nature" legacy.

The eastern Pacific leatherback population is near extinction, and the protection of every reproductive female and her nest is of critical importance to prevent these gentle giants from extinction in this area. Increased beach development will lead to increased light pollution, water pollution, nest trampling and poaching.

I urge you to support the hundreds of thousands of international sea turtle conservation activists, thousands of eco-tourists from around the world who cherish leatherback encounters, hundreds of international sea turtle scientists, Randall Arauz the Costa Rican native and 2010 recipient of the internationally acclaimed Goldman Environmental Prize, and the hundreds of thousands of Central American residents who all desire to retain the protections for leatherback sea turtles currently in place at Las Baulas National Park.

Reject Law Project 17.383 and preserve Costa Rica's legacy of environmental leadership.

Sincerely