To support its conservation, WCS has been working alongside the community of Cotocá Arriba, located in Lorica (Córdoba), to establish an ecotourism program in collaboration with the Multiactive Ecotourism Cooperative for the Conservation of the Ciénaga de Bañó (Econbiba).
The community has noticed that many tourists visit the area to observe the turtles, leading them to recognize the importance of conserving the species.
Photo: Luis Carlos Negrette
This conservation effort involves collecting turtle eggs and transferring them to incubators, where their development can be monitored. Later, the hatchlings are released at specific times of the year. Visitors can witness each step of this process.
Additionally, Econbiba, with guidance from WCS, carries out an ex-situ conservation program for nests during the reproductive season (January to May) and conducts annual monitoring of the adult turtle population.
Photo: Luis Carlos Negrette
The organization also offers tours of the marsh to showcase traditional fishing practices and natural resource conservation. Additional activities include hiking and birdwatching. The community provides accommodation and restaurant services, offering visitors a complete ecotourism experience.
Photo: Luis Carlos Negrette
In Cotocá Arriba, an average of 130 nests are protected each year, allowing the release of more than 1,000 hatchlings into the Magdalena River annually.
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