Endangered species are species which only has a few hundred or less left existing on Earth. Threatened species are species whose habitats are destroyed by humans, polluted or being hunted down.
Leatherback Turtle
Leatherback Turtles are the top 6 most endangered species. They are the largest marine turtle and are also migratory. They only go on land to lay eggs and live only in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The species in the Atlantic Ocean are very stable but the species in the Pacific Ocean are very endangered. Jellyfish, crabs and small fish are general diet of the Leatherback Turtles.
Leatherback Turtles are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats. Egg-collection, fishery-related mortality like nets and long lines of fishing, pollution and coastal development. Increasing mortality means fewer turtles which means that there are not enough to reproduce. This shortens the life cycle of the turtle. And less turtles existing over the past and future generations.
World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and Greenpeace are just some of the organizations that are helping to save the species. WWF Malaysia has a program that is helping to hatch the turtle eggs and safely release them back to sea. This is slowly increasing he population of Leatherback Turtles.
We should help the turtles! This is what we can do to help.
1. Do not buy souvenirs made from turtles.
2. Do not buy and create a demand for turtle eggs. Allow the eggs to be incubated naturally where laid.
3. Ensure rubbish is properly disposed of. Plastic bags floating in the ocean are often mistaken for food, and when eaten, may cause a turtle’s death.
4. Do not light up fires or make noise on a nesting beach. These activities may disturb a nesting turtle.
5. Avoid using illegal, non-turtle friendly fishing devices. A turtle caught in fishing gear may drown and die.
6. Support turtle conservation efforts and pass on the conservation message.
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