SAVING THE Hawksbill Turtle
Hawksbills are considered Critically Endangered around the world by the IUCN Red List and are listed as Endangered in the US. Some researchers believe the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill is the most endangered sea turtle population worldwide.
Status:
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Population:
Approx 8,000 nesting females
Location:
Tropical and sub-tropical regions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans
Threats:
* Illegal Tortoiseshell trade
* Entangled in fishing nets
* Pollution
* Habitat destruction
Considered by many to be the most beautiful of sea turtles for their colorful shells, the hawksbill is found in tropical waters around the world. They spend their time in coral reefs, rocky areas, lagoons, oceanic islands, and shallow coastal areas. Named for its narrow head and sharp, bird-like beak, Hawksbills can reach into cracks and crevices of coral reefs looking for food. Their diet is very specialised, feeding almost exclusively on sponges.
Sadly, the Hawksbill marine turtle is a threatened species, this is because they have long life spans and a slow reproductive rate. They also have slow growth and maturity. Many turtles have been killed by humans both deliberately and accidentally and both animal and human encroachment towards their nesting sites threaten the lives of the hawksbill turtles.
The Hawksbill population has declined more than 80% in the last century, largely due to the illegal trade in their beautiful shell, also referred to as “tortoiseshell" and a significant amount of poaching which is still done by the local people who live in or near the habitats of endangered species. Widespread rural poverty in protected areas leave few alternatives for people to take care of their families. Thus, killing an endangered animal in exchange for money is seen as simply a way to survive. Widespread conservation programs are being organised to reeducate local communities on the importance of conservation, in some areas, jobs are being created for local villagers to get involved in breeding and conservation programmes.
The Hawksbill faces many other threats including: pollution, boat strikes, coastal development, entanglement in fishing gear, and destructive fishing practices like dynamite fishing.
BEASTS® will donate £1 from every pair of flip flops from the Marine Collection to the Born Free Foundation Marine Campaign.
SEA SENSE PROJECT
Born Free have been helping to protect sea turtles in Tanzania since January 2001. The seas off Tanzania are home to five speciaes of endanagerd sea turtles, which are being slaughtered for their meat and drowned in fishing nets. Poaching of eggs is also commonplace.
Working in partnership with local coastal communities, Sea Sense aims to protect sea turtles and their habitats in Tanzania through community involvement in habitat conservation, nest protection and environmental education activities.
The project also collects data on the status of turtles, information that is critial to management.
SEA SENSE CONSERVATION
To find out more about the Sea Sense project, please click here
Find out more at www.bornfree.org.uk
