By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Police of the National Coast Guard on Sunday rescued a sea turtle that was tied to a plastic container in ocean off the southwestern tips of the Osa Peninsula on the southern Pacific coast of the country.

According to the Coast Guard, the turtle was seen floating near the Salsipuedes Beach coast by two officers who were on a routine patrol.

What appeared to be a simple bag turned out to be a large, exhausted turtle that was being dragged by a blue plastic, large container, which had been tied with rope to its right fin, said the Coast Guard in its report.

According to the Coast Guard, two crewmen, Minor Mendoza and Pablo Bravo, swam to the turtle to release the fin, and after verifying that the turtle could continue swimming by its own means, they let the animal swim free.


Last week, in another case of animal abuse, rangers of the National System of Conservation Areas, known as SINAC, confiscated several wild animals that were being exhibited in a store in the district of Orotina, Alajuela.

According to the park rangers' report, the case began when a complaint was received Nov. 22 about a baby white-face monkey (Cebus imitator), two green iguanas and an orange-headed parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis), which were in captivity within the commercial premises.

"The little white-faced monkey is an infant, who was tied around the neck with a dog leash. Because of his age, is possible the mother was hunted to steal the baby or died for some other circumstance," said the park rangers its statement.

According to SINAC, the animals were taken to a rescue center where a specialist will help them and release into their new habitat.

According to Article No. 110 of Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317: "The penalty for those who keep wild animals in pet condition is a fine that varies between $1,400 to $2,800." This is the case of wild animals in danger of extinction or with small populations.

In the case of wild animals, which are not in danger of extinction, the fine is between $351 to $1,400.

In addition to the confiscation of animals, park rangers opened the file against the person believed to be keeping the animals in captivity. The case was presented before the Orotina Court of Contravention.

The park rangers called on the population to continue helping to report any suspicions of a captive wild animal or animal abuse to the line (506) 2522-6500.







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