“Discover which fascinating animals make Costa Rica one of the world’s most important ecological hotspots and create some of nature’s greatest spectacles”

Every year, thousands of endangered Olive Ridley Turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of Costa Rica. If the eggs are not dug up before they hatch, then the tiny hatchlings must run a deadly gauntlet of predators.

On the west coast of Costa Rica dense mangrove forests meet sandy white shores. This is premium real estate and animals and people alike battle for a stake in the turf - from ghost crabs and vultures to crocodiles and puma, their daily struggles play out around the beach.
But how will the animal residents cope when 50,000 Olive Ridley turtles pour onto the beach to lay their eggs in one of nature's greatest spectacles?

It's a free for all with every predator descending to feast, from a quiet coast to action packed chaos. Some of the nests are dug up by the sensitive nosed coatis, while American crocodiles take advantage of exhausted female turtles that lie stranded on the beach. Black vultures wait to feast on any leftovers.

50 days later the hatchlings emerge - for them the battle has truly begun, as they have to dodge the infantry of ghost crabs and the aerial assault of the majestic frigate birds, before taking to the waves and the dangers of the deep. Only then can they escape the battle.
Follow this cycle of life and death in Playa Nancite: Battle for the Beach.

This DVD is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated 24-page hardback reference book. Watch the close-up wildlife film and at the same time read the book to learn about habitats, diet, life cycle and more. The book is packed with intriguing facts, illustrations, photography and a 'Test your knowledge' quiz.

English narration by John Hedges
Filmed by Thoralf Grospitz and Jens Westphalen
Produced for NDR Naturfilm (2003)
As seen on Animal Planet.

 To watch a pre-view of this DVD please visit YouTube or watch it at the bottom of this page