Ostional Mixed Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ostional Mixed Wildlife Refuge
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Mixto Ostional
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Ostional Mixed Wildlife Refuge Location in Costa Rica
Location	Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Area	85.7 km2 (33.1 sq mi)
Established	1984
Governing body	National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)

The Ostional Mixed Wildlife Refuge (which means Refuge of Mixed Wildlife Ostional in Spanish) is a special protected area in Costa Rica. It covers about 85.7 square kilometers (33.1 square miles) of land and ocean. This refuge is part of the Tempisque Conservation Area and was first protected in 1982. Its main goal is to keep the important nesting beaches safe for the Olive ridley sea turtle.

This refuge is known worldwide as one of the most important places for Olive Ridley sea turtles to lay their eggs. It helps protect these amazing creatures and their habitat.

What is a Wildlife Refuge?

A wildlife refuge is a place set aside to protect wild animals and their natural homes. It's like a safe haven where animals can live, find food, and raise their young without too much human disturbance. These areas help keep different kinds of plants and animals from disappearing.

Why Ostional is Special

Ostional is famous because of a unique event called the "arribada" (pronounced ah-ree-BAH-dah). This Spanish word means "arrival." During an arribada, thousands of female Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore at the same time to lay their eggs. This amazing natural event happens several times a year, usually around the new moon.

The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

The Olive Ridley sea turtle (scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest sea turtles. It gets its name from its olive-green shell. These turtles live in warm waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. They are known for their mass nesting events, like the ones at Ostional.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Female Olive Ridley turtles travel long distances to return to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. During an arribada, they dig nests in the sand, lay about 100 eggs, and then cover them up before returning to the ocean. The eggs hatch after about 45 to 60 days. Tiny hatchlings then dig their way out of the sand and race to the sea, facing many dangers along the way.

Protecting the Turtles

The Ostional Mixed Wildlife Refuge plays a very important role in protecting these turtles. It helps keep their nesting beaches safe from harm. Protecting these areas is crucial because Olive Ridley sea turtles are considered a vulnerable species. This means their numbers are decreasing, and they need our help to survive.

Local communities often work with conservation groups to protect the turtles. Sometimes, a small number of eggs are collected legally by local people. This is done under strict rules to help the community and also to protect the later nests from being dug up by other turtles. This unique management plan helps both the turtles and the people who live near the refuge.

Location and Environment

The Ostional Mixed Wildlife Refuge is located in the Guanacaste Province on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This area is known for its beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity. The refuge includes not only the sandy beaches where turtles nest but also parts of the ocean, which are important feeding grounds for the turtles and other marine life. The mix of land and sea environments makes it a truly "mixed" wildlife refuge.

See also

• In Spanish: Refugio de vida silvestre Ostional para niños