(National Geographic) According to the people living near Playa Grande, Costa Rica, during the 1970s and 1980s, there were so many leatherbacks nesting on adjacent beaches that the locals referred to them as "hormigas," or ants. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. But Conservation International and National Geographic are working to further conservation efforts and to raise awareness about the turtles.
Great Turtle Race Gears Up to Go
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APRIL 15, 2009
By Happynews Staff

Eleven leatherback sea turtles are racing from foraging grounds in the frigid waters of Canada to nesting beaches on the sun-soaked shores of the Caribbean. The turtles are tagged with state-of-the-art satellite tracking devices that allow National Geographic to follow their incredible 3,700-mile journey. Which turtle will reach the finishing line first? Which will dive the deepest or go the farthest afield?
The race begins on Thursday, April 16. Watch the turtles' progress on a race map —updated every day— at National Geographic's website: animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/greatturtlerace
Get race updates from Conservation International: www.conservation.org/great_turtle_race/Pages/main.