Wildlife groups in Florida are celebrating record numbers of sea turtle nests this season, but experts warn Donald Trump’s recent gutting of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) could reverse decades of their recovery from the edge of extinction. With more than two months of the summer nesting season still to run, loggerhead turtles have already made 13,770 nests, hundreds more […]
Tag: sea turtles
Petition: Green Sea Turtles Prove Conservation Works. Tell Congress to Strengthen the Endangered Species Act
After decades of conservation efforts, green sea turtles are finally making a comeback. The species was recently reclassified from “endangered” to “least concern” after global populations increased. This is thanks to protections for nesting sites, reduced harvesting, habitat conservation, and safer fishing practices. This is proof that conservation works. Now, conservationists are warning that this […]
9 beautiful, breathtaking photos of sea turtles that prove just how majestic (and fearless) these marine creatures can be
From the northern coast of Australia to the south coast of England, sea turtles are found across the globe. They play a key role in marine ecosystems, helping maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs. But of the seven types of sea turtle, three are now classified as endangered and two as critically endangered, largely as a […]
“It’s up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide.” 10 most poisonous animals in the world, from frogs to sharks – and even butterflies. Yes that’s right…
It’s a tough world out there and many animals have had to arm themselves. One capacity that has evolved time and time again is toxic weaponry – venoms and poisons. Although oft confused, there is a clear distinction between these two forms of toxins. Whereas venoms are produced in specialised tissues and are delivered to predators or prey through […]
“More than 60% of females gave birth on the same night.” Why do some animals give birth en masse?
In some species, offspring are born (or hatch) at roughly the same time. This is called synchronous reproduction: an evolutionary strategy to give offspring the best possible chance of survival. One of the main drivers of synchronised reproduction is predator satiation. Predators tend to target young animals because they are easy prey. If young are […]
Hundreds Of Sea Turtles Are Freezing As Climate Change Disrupts Coastal Waters
Along the beaches of Cape Cod, volunteers are braving freezing winds to search for stranded sea turtles and other vulnerable animals that can no longer swim. Drawn north by warming seas, these young turtles become trapped when temperatures suddenly drop, leaving them cold stunned and close to death. It is a heartbreaking scene, but also […]
Lethal dose of plastic for seabirds and marine animals ‘much smaller than expected’
New research has found that even small amounts of plastic can be deadly to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals. While previous research has established that plastic can lead to mortality in many species, this new study identifies the types and amounts of plastic that pose the greatest danger, and estimates how likely an animal […]
For sharks on the brink of extinction, CITES Appendix II isn’t protective enough (commentary)
Sharks are some of the most threatened animals on Earth, with approximately one-third of all species assessed as threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List. These animals are not only older than dinosaurs, but older than trees, and yet they face a very real risk of extinction within our lifetimes. Their number one threat […]