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Veterinary Clinic Helps Reduce
Dog Predation
By Dr. Emma Harrison
At first glance it might seem a little unusual that
STC is involved in a veterinary clinic in Tortuguero,
Costa Rica, as our activities at this site are mainly
associated with research. However, in recent years,
STC researchers have observed an increase in the
number of turtle nests predated by dogs. To reduce
the impacts of predation on sea turtle survival,
STC collaborates with Tortuguero National Park,
veterinarians and other nonprofit groups in the area
to host spay/neuter clinics in Tortuguero and the
neighboring community of San Francisco. Started in
March 2008,
the clinics
are held over
the course of
a weekend,
with vets
visiting both
communities
for a day. To
date, almost
400 animals
have been
spayed/
neutered, with
the majority
being dogs
as they are responsible for predating turtle nests.
The program has been extremely successful and has
received fantastic support from community members,
with people often waiting with their pets for the vets
to arrive in the morning.
In addition to the clinic, an education program is
run in conjunction with the vet clinics. The program
includes presentations to local schools and hotels to
highlight the benefits of spaying/neutering domestic
animals, and providing advice on the appropriate care
of pets. Many of the children are also keen to observe
the vets at work and volunteer to help by collecting
dogs off the streets that might not have owners
and bringing them to the clinic. The vets love any
opportunity to educate children about the potential
negative impacts of domestic animals on sea turtles
and other endangered wildlife within Tortuguero
National Park.
The clinic program has received generous donations
from individuals, businesses and communities that
have witnessed first hand the damage caused when
a dog digs up a turtle nest. The future of the clinic
program is dependent on the continued goodwill
of our current supporters and new funding sources.
STC will continue to be a part of this initiative as
it is having a positive impact on the welfare of the
domestic animals in Tortuguero which is beneficial to
the survival of the region’s sea turtle populations.
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