They might not be as cuddly as pandas or as fearsome as great white sharks.
But around the world, tortoises and freshwater turtles still capture the human imagination.
Now, many of these species are in trouble – and urgent steps are necessary to protect them.
An analysis that I just concluded shows that 40 percent of the world’s freshwater turtle and tortoise species are threatened with extinction. This figure makes turtles some of the most threatened animals on the planet.
At CI’s website, you can see a slideshow of 10 of the most endangered turtles in the world. You can also submit your questions about turtles to me, Peter Paul – and I’ll answer the best of your inquiries online.
Getting your friends to ask me some questions, too, would go a long way toward helping us spread not just amazing science facts, but also an important message about the danger freshwater turtles face worldwide. Can you share this link with your friends?
Protecting Biodiversity In many instances, the dwindling number of turtles can be attributed to the hunting of the animals for meat. Turtles also suffer because of a lucrative (and often illegal) pet trade.
Other species declines, however, are directly related to habitat loss. That’s a sign that the rivers, streams and lakes that millions of humans rely upon for irrigation, food and water could be in trouble, too.
At CI, we’ve dedicated ourselves to protecting biodiversity, the amazing array of life around the world, for more than 25 years. Species perform all kinds of services for humans. They provide our diet, clean up our drinking water, take carbon pollution out of the atmosphere and so much more. People need nature to thrive.
That’s why we’re raising awareness of the plight of freshwater turtles.
It’s also why we’re headed to this year’s Convention on Biological Diversity, a global summit of governments that have agreed to protect species around the world.
There, we’ll be asking governments to make two simple, but powerful, commitments: Set aside 15 percent of the world’s oceans as protected areas. Do the same for 25 percent of land.
If that much of the Earth were protected, it would be a major step forward toward shielding all species – the building blocks of life on Earth – from extinction.
Those efforts can start today. Tell your friends that a CI science expert is answering your questions about freshwater turtles and tortoises. You’ll learn an amazing fact or three, and you’ll be helping to let the world know about the importance of protecting biodiversity.
Thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Peter Paul van Dijk
Director, Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Conservation Program at Conservation International
Red-crowned river turtle photo © CI/ Peter Paul van Dijk Family © Olivier Langrand
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