Governments should act now to save threatened turtles

November 01, 2006

Ecology and conservation experts from the University of Exeter today urge international governments to work together to protect threatened Caribbean sea turtle populations.

The Cayman Islands, a UK Overseas Territory, once supported one of the world's largest sea turtle rookeries, which comprised some 6.5 million adult green and loggerhead turtles. These populations were driven into decline from the mid-1600s onwards, when massive harvesting of nesting turtles began. Only a few dozen individuals survive today.

New research, led by the University of Exeter's School of Biosciences and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment, reveals the astonishing distances these animals travel and the extent to which they are now threatened. The study was published open access today in the international conservation journal Endangered Species Research.

Marine turtles spend most of their lives at sea, but where these Cayman Islands survivors live when they are not nesting has been a mystery until now. Experts from the University of Exeter, the Cayman Islands Department of Environment and Duke University, USA, followed the journeys of ten endangered adult females over three years.

Using satellite transmitters, the team tracked the turtles travelling as far as Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and the USA. On these long journeys, turtles face the risk of being caught for meat, as well as accidentally captured by shrimp trawls, longlines, and gillnets. As turtles travel across boundaries between countries, conservation legislation is inconsistently applied and enforced, leaving them vulnerable.

Dr Brendan Godley of the School of Biosciences at the University of Exeter said: 'Having followed these turtles thousands of miles through the ocean, we now know where they go, so can identify which countries need to be involved in their conservation. We are running out of time and what is now needed is a team effort from all of the governments to save these fragile populations.'

University of Exeter

---

---

	Turtle Care: How to Care for Pet Turtles Like an Expert. The New Best Seller (Aquarium and Turtle Mastery) #1 Best Seller in Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians within 3 weeks of launch. Aquarium, underwater, turtle and tortoise lover David Chipperfield has listened to the fans who were clamoring for him to add a turtle book to his previously written books on aquariums. Here is his step-by-step compendium so you can go from a complete beginner to a turtle authority in no time We asked David why people should read this book and he told us: “There are loads of things you can get wrong when looking after turtles but if you know the tips and tricks you can make your relationship fun, inexpensive and hopefully not one that turns you into an accidental turtle killer (it’s easier than you might think if you don’t understand what not to do).”
	Look Out for Turtles! (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) by Melvin Berger (Author), Megan Lloyd (Illustrator) Turtles are among the oldest living creatures in the world. They have been on earth for nearly 200 million years!In Look Out for Turtles! readers will discover why these creatures have survived so long. Hard shells protect many turtles from harm. Colorful markings on their shells help some turtles to blend in with their surroundings. Different kinds of turtles can live almost anywhere on land or sea and can eat many kinds of plants and animals...Today turtles must struggle to. survive. They are hunted, and threatened by pollution. There is less and less open space for turtles to live in. If turtles are going to be around for another 200 million years, they are going to need our help!
	Fun Facts About Turtles! (I Like Reptiles and Amphibians!) by Carmen Bredeson (Author) What is a turtle s shell made of? How long do turtles live? Accompanied by pictures of turtles in their environment, author Carmen Bredeson answers these, and other, questions.
	How the Turtle Got Its Shell (Little Golden Book) by Justine Fontes (Author), Ron Fontes (Author), Keiko Motoyama (Illustrator) How did the turtle get its shell? This unique book features stories from around the world that offer different answers to that question. Plus, there are cool facts about turtles.
	One Tiny Turtle: Read and Wonder by Nicola Davies (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator) "Simple, lyrical words and bright, acrylic doublepage pictures convey the astonishing facts about the loggerhead sea turtle. . . . A powerful nature story for a young audience." —BOOKLIST Far, far out at sea lives one of the world's most mysterious creatures, the loggerhead turtle. For thirty years she swims the oceans, wandering thousands of miles as she searches for food. Then, one summer night, she lands on a beach to lay her eggs — the very same beach where she herself was born. Nicola Davies's lyrical text offers fascinating information about the journey of the tiny, endangered loggerhead, while charming paintings by Jane Chapman vividly illustrate one turtle's odyssey.
	National Geographic Readers: Sea Turtles by Laura Marsh (Author) Who could resist celebrating sea turtles? They may seem like lazy ocean reptiles drifting with the oceans’ currents, but they are actually long-distance swimmers that spend their entire lives searching for food and a mate. What’s more, they come with their own built-in GPS, returning to the exact beach where they were born to lay their own eggs. Kids will learn all about these tranquil and mysterious animals through brilliant photography and illustrations, plus the trusted and distinctive content you love from NG Kids!
	Turtle Splash!: Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell (Author), Cathryn Falwell (Illustrator) One by one, ten turtles splash! into the pond. It's a colorful countdown that you can be a part of.
	Frogs, Toads & Turtles: Take Along Guide (Take Along Guides) by Diane Burns (Author) An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification nformation, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are sugested. Color illustrations enhance the presentation. —-HORN BOOKS (Tracks, Scats and Signs)
	Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation by James R. Spotila (Author) For more than a hundred million years, sea turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans. These magnificent, long-lived creatures spend their lives in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs. Upon hatching, the baby turtles leave the nest and enter a dangerous world of storms and predators. The females will return to the same beach to lay their own eggs when they reach maturity a decade later. Today, there are seven species of sea turtle: the grass–eating green turtle; the sea sponge–eating hawksbill; the olive ridley; the Kemp's ridley, which is the smallest species; the loggerhead; the flatback of Australia; and the giant leatherback. Having escaped the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, these ancient reptiles today face new dangers that threaten their survival:...
	Turtles and Tortoises (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals) by R.D. Bartlett (Author), Patricia P. Bartlett (Author) Here is detailed information on both land and water species, with specifics on determining sex, life expectancy, housing, feeding, and health care. Books in the comprehensive and popular Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series advise on feeding, health care, housing, and all other important aspects of responsible pet ownership. Each title is individually written from first page to last by a pet trainer, veterinarian, or other pet-care specialist. All Complete Pet Owner's Manuals are filled with high-quality photos and instructive line art.