Maggie Moore developed a lifelong passion for conservation after being awarded an Earthwatch Millennium Fellowship to visit Costa Rica as part of a Sea Turtle conservation project.
Her work included patrolling sections of a seven kilometre stretch of beach, heavily guarded to guarded to prevent poachers gathering eggs as they were laid by Giant Leatherback turtles.
"When walking on an unprotected beach I saw where some eggs had been predated, but at the bottom of a hole I spotted a tiny, crumpled shape. It turned out to be a dehydrated baby Olive Ridley Turtle. I carried it for 2 miles and waded out to sea, where it inflated like a balloon and swam away. It was a small act but I often think of that turtle.”
Photo Credit: David Levêque, Unsplash
After returning, she gave talks to local conservation and community groups about the risk the species faces unless there is greater international support for its preservation.
By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more about cookies, including how to disable them, and how we collect your personal data and what we use it for. Read our cookie policy.