GREAT TURTLE RACE

One of the things I did after returning from my trip to Costa Rica was to sign up for a Yahoo group that consisted of people who were interested in all things Costa Rican. I got a message today informing me of a turtle race currently underway. Some of the leatherback turtles that spend the majority of the time in the Galapogos Islands off of Equador actually come back to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica to lay their eggs. This year some scientists have tagged 11 of them in order to track them as they return to the Galapogos.

The turtles are returning at a brisk pace of 1.7 miles per hour. So far its a close race, even though the rivals don't realize they are competing. You can track the progress of these reptiles by signing on to http://www.greatturtlerace.com

The race is actually a fund raising event. The money raised will go to the Leatherback Trust to buy land on the Playa Grande beach, which is the last viable nesting ground for leatherback sea turles in the eastern Pacific. I've been there on a previous trip to Costa Rica. If you've never seen one of these endangered creatures, be aware that they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

Enjoy the race .... Make a contribution ..... Place your bets!!