For millennia, various species of turtle have returned to beaches to lay their eggs. But an age-old family tradition is starting to jeopardize the future of Costa Rica’s turtles. For years, families have divided up the beaches and harvested the precious eggs for their personal consumption. Protective measure and public education have led to an important change in mentality, but stubborn poachers continue to pillage turtle nests and sell the eggs on the black market. Despite the efforts of scientists and volunteers to protect the beaches, the turtles’ future remains uncertain. And they play hardball on the beaches of Costa Rica. The War between environmentalists and heavily armed poachers is starting to produce its share of victims.

Originally released by Cineflix Media, 2013. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on November 14, 2014.

Introduction: The Turtles of Costa Rica (2:30); --Treasure Island (2:42); -- Tagging (2:45); -- Migration Routes (3:33); -- Leatherback Turtles (3:37); -- Turtle Eggs (4:59); -- Conservation Workers (4:44); -- Data Collection (2:35); -- Protecting Eggs (4:23); -- Reformed Poachers (3:01); -- Education (2:42); -- Playa Grande Beach (4:07); -- Community Support (2:59); -- Credits: The Turtles of Costa Rica (1:05); -- Save the Turtles (11:59); .