Sea turtles are amazing and beautiful creatures, but few people realise just how big they can get. Some of them grow to three metres long, weighing as much as 750 kilograms, and many of them have stunningly beautiful shells. However, this is where the problem lies for many species of turtle - they are poached for their shells to the point where they are now close to extinction. This, alongside the damage that is often caused to their natural habitats, is why sea turtle conservation is so important.
In light of this, the importance of turtle conservation efforts cannot be stressed enough because if we want to forge a future for these marine animals, then something must be done. The Great Projects offer you the chance to join a turtle conservation project to help protect these iconic creatures in a variety of locations. You have the chance to observe as many as five different species of turtle from the tropics of Costa Rica to the stunning beaches of Sri Lanka. Whilst at these projects you will get the chance to take part in a number of turtle conservation activities that includes taking part in a hatchery programme, burying eggs into the sand of the local beaches, and occasionally even heading out on a night patrol to prevent poachers from stealing turtle eggs. If you're lucky, you may even get to release adorable hatchlings into the sea!
If you would like the chance to aid sea turtle conservation efforts then become our next volunteer!
The numbers of sea turtles found in the wild vary greatly by species. The most endangered species of sea turtle is the Kemp Ridley, as its numbers have suffered a lot since the 1940’s when 100,000 were filmed nesting in one location. Researchers have found it difficult to get an accurate figure for the number of sea turtles that are remaining in the wild due to their elusive nature, and the sheer number of hatchlings who never make it to adulthood.
What we do know is that conservation efforts are desperately needed for all 7 species if they are to survive.
Sea turtles are relatively defenceless to human actions, despite what their shell would have you believe. Some of the things most affecting their numbers include:
Do More
Take part on the Great Turtle Project in Sri Lanka as a volunteer in a turtle sanctuary and have an impact on the conservation of the country's beautiful sea turtles.
Dive into the incredible waters of the Perhentian Islands and aid marine conservation by volunteering in Malaysia!
Play your part in the conservation of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle, as well as other vulnerable wildlife species, in coastal Costa Rica.
