Costa Rica poachers 'kill turtle activist'

[Judi Lynn]

Costa Rica poachers 'kill turtle activist'
31 May 2013 Last updated at 20:13 ET


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 was reportedly found face down with his hands tied on Moin beach, 170km (105 miles) east of the capital, San Jose. Vanessa Lizano, the owner of the turtle sanctuary where Mr Mora 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 told the BBC: "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.

More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22738304

[Judi Lynn]

1. Costa Rican environmentalist found beaten to death

Costa Rican environmentalist found beaten to death
Sapa-AP | 01 June, 2013 08:36

An environmentalist who worked to protect leatherback turtles on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast was found dead Friday on a beach used by drug traffickers, authorities said.

Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Police said in a statement that a motive in the killing of Jairo Mora Sandoval has not been determined.

Mora Sandoval was a volunteer with the nonprofit group Widecast, which protects turtle nests from poachers in Moin beach in Limon province.

His beaten body was found Friday. He had had his hands tied behind his back and had been shot in the head, said Widecast director Didiher Chacon.

More:
http://www.timeslive.co.za/scitech/2013/06/01/costa-rican-environmentalist-found-beaten-to-death

[ocpagu]

2. Awful.

Completely insane, stealing a person's life for doing something good to the environment, with positive impact in the lives of all human beings, except the thugs who profit with smuggling. I hope they identify those responsible for this. May the family of Mr. Mora find some peace and justice for this horrible murder.