Turtle conservationist shot dead 'by poachers' on Costa Rican beach

An environmentalist campaigning for the protection of endangered sea turtles in Costa Rica has been found dead in a suspected killing by smugglers. Jairo Mora Sandova, was found on Moin beach, 170km (105 miles) east of the capital, San Jose. The 26-year-old's naked body was found on the same beach shortly before 7am on Friday. His hands had been tied behind his back and he had been shot in the head after being kidnapped by a masked gang. Four of his female colleagues, all foreign volunteers, were also bundled into a car as they patrolled the beach and have given evidence to the police.

Vanessa Lizano, the owner of the turtle sanctuary where Mr Mora Sandoval worked, said he had been killed because of his work. Sea-turtle eggs are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world. Ms Lizano said: "Jairo went on patrol with some volunteers and they were attacked by armed men. It was him they wanted, because he was the one who was always looking after the nests." Ms Lizano said that poachers in Costa Rica can make up to $300 (£200) per day smuggling turtle eggs in the black market.



She said they had received many threats over the years because of their work at the sanctuary. Didihier Chacon, a spokesperson for the Widecast, a partner organisation which runs sea turtle conservation programmes in Central America, said he felt "very hurt" by Mr Mora Sandoval's death. "He could walk 20km each night to save nests," Mr Chacon said. "It's not possible that citizens who protect nature have to suffer from this type of attacks." The Costa Rican authorities said they were investigating the death.

The murder has shed light on the criminal trade linked to leatherbacks, the largest of living turtles. At around the same time last year, a group of six men armed with AK-47 assault rifles and 9mm handguns forced their way into a nursery on the same beach designed to protect young leatherbacks. Volunteers, many of them foreigners, were bound and gagged as the gang raided the hatchery for 1,520 eggs from the 19 protected nests.