Eco Welfare Project- Save the Green Sea Turtle!

Creature file one: Green Sea Turtle

Hello! This is the Eco Welfare Crew coming in with our first blog! Right now, we’re going to talk about an awesome animal called the Green Sea Turtle.

The Green Sea turtle (scientific name: Chelonia Mydas) is one of the largest sea turtles, growing up to 3 to 4 feet in length! They are named for their cartilage and fat, rather than their shell. Their population extends throughout tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Two major subpopulations are in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.

Unlike their close relative, the Hawksbill Turtle (more on the Hawksbill Turtle later), they cannot pull their neck into their shell, and their snout is shorter and it’s beak is actually unhooked, unlike loggerheads or Hawksbills.

Baby Green Sea Turtles are so cute! But they have many obstacles getting into the water. They have to face predators, and not much babies get to the water unharmed. But, it’s the nature balance, and there is nothing we can do about it. However, you know their biggest obstacles of all: US! Humans!

Green Sea Turtles, as cute and awesome as they are, but sadly, they are endangered. Their population is decreasing! That’s not good. Poachers poach them continuously, for their eggs. Slaughtered for their eggs, skin, and hunting, and over exploitation. They get caught in fishing gear, and some careless fishermen let them dangled in the nets. Now sea turtles are reptiles, and don’t have gills, so they have to come up to the surface to breathe. So if they are tangled and can’t swim, how will they get up to the surface?

So if you ever eat turtle, or rock turtle skin clothes, as fancy as the turtle skin clothes look, keep in mind that these animals are in danger. They deserve to be in the wild, not your fashion accessory. And stop going to restaurants that serve green sea turtle as a dish. Some people have tried it, and said it was delicious. Don’t listen to them! Don’t eat turtles, as fancy as the dish may look.

How can we help? First, go to the beach and pick up any trash you see. Immediately throw it in the trash can. Many sea turtles are in danger because of our trash. They mistake it for food. What’s sad, plastic bags were found in a sea turtle’s body. They think plastic bags are jellyfish! No, it is not funny. Imagine you were a sea turtle and you had to eat that thinking it was a jellyfish? Second, say no to products made from turtle skin- forget turtle skin, any animal’s skin! And yes, you can change to eco-friendly leather. Third, say nada to people who want you to eat turtle. These animals, like I said, their population is decreasing! Pick up litter.

Also, here’s a tip that you might get mad at, but it’s for the ecosystem.

The tip is to quit plastic completely.

Quit plastic completely: WHAT? ! How will I drink my drinks without a straw? How will I keep my stuff in the bag while shopping? How will I drink out of my water bottle? How will I-

Alright, we get the message.

For your shopping bag, switch from a plastic bag to felt bag! You can use a felt bag over, and over, and OVER again. For your straw, there are metal or wooden straws. No, they won’t break your teeth. For your water bottle, well, get a flask or thermos. And no, you won’t be a VSCO Girl/Boy.

Because of humans, not just the Green Sea Turtle, but all seven species of sea turtles are endangered, 3 of them are critically endangered.

What are you waiting for? Get in touch with park rangers or local leaders to help you with your cause. That’s exactly what we are doing. Save the turtles!

Peace Out,

Dheemahi