Heroes in a half-shell

World Turtle Day on 23 May is celebrated worldwide to bring attention to and increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creatures. Human action is needed to help them survive and thrive!

Turtles are basically dinosaurs. Think about that for a moment ... They have been on earth for way, way longer than we have – some 100 million years – and are thus extremely well adapted to life in the water.

Sadly, all seven species of sea turtle are currently threatened with extinction. This is largely due to habitat loss, as natural beaches, where turtles go to lay their eggs, are disturbed by human activities and development. Climate change is affecting water temperatures, which in turn affects the sexes of turtle hatchlings, and can affect the normal ratios of males and females being born. Turtles are also killed for food, medicine and the illegal trade of their shells.

By far their biggest threat is commercial fishing, and ending up as by-catch. Sea turtles need to reach the surface to breathe and therefore many drown once caught. Incidental capture by fishing gear is the greatest threat to most sea turtles. Only one in 1 000 sea turtle hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Turtles are reptiles, characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield. These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the cruel pet trade.