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Turtles in Trouble
This lucky turtle was rescued by the US Coast Guard and taken to a rehabilitation facility.
Turtles and tortoises are central to the food web. Sea turtles graze on the sea grass found on the ocean floor, helping to keep it short and healthy. In turn, healthy sea grass is an important breeding ground for many species of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. It is the same for freshwater and land turtles as turtles contribute to the health of marshes and wetlands.
However, turtles and tortoise are in serious trouble. Although turtles have been on the planet for about 220 million years, scientists now report that almost half of all turtle species is threatened.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an organization that maintains a comprehensive list (Red List) of the status of the world's species, categorizes 47% of all living turtle species as threatened. Currently, 328 species of turtles are known worldwide, and they are being impacted by a variety of major threats, to which many are gradually succumbing. In overwhelming numbers, turtles are being collected, traded, and eaten or otherwise used. They are used for food, pets, traditional medicine—eggs, juveniles, adults, body parts—all are exploited indiscriminately, with little regard for sustainability. On top of these targeted attacks, their habitats are being increasingly fragmented, destroyed, developed, and polluted. Populations are shrinking nearly everywhere.
Species worldwide are threatened and vulnerable, many are critically endangered, others teeter on the very brink of extinction, and a few have already been lost forever. Eight species and two subspecies having gone extinct since 1500 AD.
However, turtles and tortoise are in serious trouble. Although turtles have been on the planet for about 220 million years, scientists now report that almost half of all turtle species is threatened.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an organization that maintains a comprehensive list (Red List) of the status of the world's species, categorizes 47% of all living turtle species as threatened. Currently, 328 species of turtles are known worldwide, and they are being impacted by a variety of major threats, to which many are gradually succumbing. In overwhelming numbers, turtles are being collected, traded, and eaten or otherwise used. They are used for food, pets, traditional medicine—eggs, juveniles, adults, body parts—all are exploited indiscriminately, with little regard for sustainability. On top of these targeted attacks, their habitats are being increasingly fragmented, destroyed, developed, and polluted. Populations are shrinking nearly everywhere.
Species worldwide are threatened and vulnerable, many are critically endangered, others teeter on the very brink of extinction, and a few have already been lost forever. Eight species and two subspecies having gone extinct since 1500 AD.