Are Leatherback Turtle Endangered
When we think of the majestic Leatherback turtle, we picture it coasting through crystal clear waters without a care in the world. Despite the serenity of this image, there’s a pressing question we must ask: are Leatherback turtles endangered?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Due to numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change and direct human activities, Leatherback turtles have been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.
As temperatures rise, suitable nesting sites decrease, and human development encroaches on their habitats. In addition, the turtles often become victims of fishing gear entanglement and plastic pollution, further jeopardizing their survival. Human intervention on a large scale becomes mandatory to ensure preservation.
Diving Deeper into the Lives of Leatherback Turtles
The commonly known Leatherback Turtle, scientifically known as Dermochelys Coriacea, creates a fascinating topic of conversation due to its unique nature. Ranging from its distinct characteristics, worldwide distribution, and intriguing behavior, these majestic sea creatures never fail to intrigue us.
What is a Leatherback Turtle?
A Leatherback Turtle is the largest of all living turtles and the fourth-largest living reptile on earth. Unlike most of its companions in the turtle kingdom that possess bony shells, a Leatherback Turtle is covered by a leathery carapace, hence their name. These sea turtles are known for their ability to endure the coldest sea temperatures and are highly migratory. They are incredibly elegant swimmers, gliding effortlessly through the deep oceans.
The Biology and Behavior of Leatherback Turtles
Looking at the biology of Leatherback Turtles, these sea creatures can measure up to seven feet in length and weigh nearly a staggering 1500 pounds. They are distinguishable by their teardrop-shaped bodies, with large flippers used for locomotion. Interestingly, the leatherback turtle eschews the notion of a hard shell and instead boasts a unique, rubbery skin that covers a matrix of loosely interconnected small bones. This attribute provides leatherbacks the flexibility they need to dive deep into the ocean.
In regards to the behavior of Leatherback Turtles, they are solitary creatures outside the mating season. They are infamous for their transatlantic journeys, with one recorded female even managing to swim nearly 13,000 miles from Indonesia to the U.S. Pacific coast. Dive they can, up to 4,000 feet deep, in pursuit of their preferred food: jellyfish. This depth is far beyond what any other turtle can handle and is possible due to their specialized blood, enabling them to deliver oxygen effectively at freezing temperatures and high pressures.
The Global Distribution of Leatherback Turtles
Leatherback Turtles are spread across the globe and can be found in a comprehensive range of habitats. Leatherbacks inhabit a scope of latitudes from as far north as Alaska and Norway, and to the southernmost points of South Africa and New Zealand. Their migratory pattern plays an influential role in their global spread, allowing them to move from tropical to temperate latitudes. This means that they can exist in different temperature waters and depths, considerably contributing to their wide distribution. However, despite their widespread existence, they remain critically endangered, primarily due to human activities such as commercial fishing, hunting, and habitat destruction due to coastal land development.
The Current Status: Are Leatherback Turtles Endangered?
In order to truly comprehend the current plight of the leatherback turtle, it is essential to first understand what the term ‘endangered’ actually means. In essence, a species is classified as endangered when its survival is seriously threatened, usually due to environmental changes or predatory factors.
An ‘endangered’ status signifies that the species is at a high risk of extinction in the near future. A species can be classified as endangered for various reasons – dwindling population, loss of habitat, or a rapid decline in numbers due to poaching. This classification plays a pivotal role in animal conservation, enabling protective policies and conservation efforts to be put into effect. Now that we have a clear understanding of the term, let’s turn our gazes towards the status of the leatherback turtle.
Evidence Indicating the Declining Population
Primary research and numerous studies suggest a significant decline in the global population of leatherback turtles. It is estimated that their numbers have plummeted by more than 70% in the past ninety years. This drastic decline has led various international conservation organizations, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to classify the leatherback turtle as a ‘vulnerable’ species, on the brink of being ‘endangered’, with certain subpopulations already listed as ‘critically endangered’.
One striking evidence is the dramatic drop in nesting females in the Pacific Ocean. For instance, in the beaches of Mexico – an important nesting site for the Pacific leatherback turtle – the number of nesting females has sadly decreased from a few thousand in the 80s to a handful in recent years.
Another disturbing trend is the high mortality rates amongst the hatchlings. Factors such as increasing shoreline development, beach erosion, and predation often result in less than 1% of hatchlings surviving their first year. All these indicators confirm the unfortunate reality – the leatherback turtle population is indeed receding at an alarming rate.
The Underlying Causes: Why Are Leatherback Turtles Threatened?
The Leatherback Turtle, with its majestic presence in our seas, faces mounting threats to its survival, landing it in the category of endangered species. Underlying causes range widely, stemming from marine pollution, climate change, and direct human interaction, such as fishing and poaching. To protect these creatures from extinction, understanding the sources of such threats becomes paramount.
The Role of Marine Pollution
Marine pollution, specifically in the form of plastic waste, is a significant threat to Leatherback Turtles. Water bodies littered with plastic waste become dangerous waters for these marine creatures.
The Perils of Plastic: A Dire Threat to Leatherbacks
The Plastic materials turn out to be the enemy dressed in sheep’s clothing for Leatherback Turtles. They perceive them as jellyfish, their primary food source, and consume them, leading to fatal dietary complications. For instance, plastics, once ingested, clog their digestive tracts, causing starvation or internal injuries.
The Impact of Climate Change
Climate change and its adverse effects pose a vast threat to the existence of Leatherback Turtles. Rising sea levels and changing temperatures all play crucial roles in undermining their survival.
Rising Sea Levels and Their Effect on Nesting
Leatherback turtles are very selective about their nesting sites and prefer sandy beaches. As sea levels rise due to global warming, these nesting sites found near the shoreline are submerged, robbing the turtles of their breeding grounds. The mother turtles, unable to find appropriate nesting sites, are forced into less-than-ideal conditions, hurting their reproductive success rate.
How Changing Temperatures Influence Hatchlings’ Sex
In a fascinating manifestation of nature, the sex of Leatherback Turtle hatchlings is determined by the sand’s temperature in which the eggs are buried. Warmer sand favours the birth of female hatchlings, whereas cooler sand supports the emergence of males. As global temperatures ascend, a female-biased sex ratio prevails, disrupting the population dynamics and posing an extraordinary challenge to the turtles’ survival.
The Human Factor: Fishing and Poaching
The direct human actions of fishing and poaching also contribute significantly to the endangerment of Leatherback Turtles. Despite many laws and regulations, instances of turtles getting caught in fishing gear or hunted down for their meat and shells are not unusual.
The Downstream Effects: Consequences of Leatherback Turtle Endangerment
The endangerment of leatherback turtles carries significant consequences, both ecologically and socio-economically. Understanding these downstream effects is crucial to appreciating the immense value these marine creatures hold beyond their inherent worth as a species. High-stakes for both the natural environment and human societies are tied to the survival of leatherback turtles, leading a closer look into these implications necessary.
Ecological Implications
Leatherback turtles play an essential role in marine ecosystems. As one of the top predators, their decline can negatively affect the balance of marine life. Predators, including the leatherbacks, keep jellyfish populations in check. Without them, jellyfish plagues increase, leading to a decline in fish populations, as jellyfish consume a significant amount of fish eggs and larvae.
Healthy marine ecosystems are pivotal for our planet. They produce a substantial amount of the world’s oxygen, offer a habitat for a wide range of species, and contribute to climate regulation. In the long term, the decline of leatherback turtles could therefore lead to severe disruptions in these ecosystems.
Socio-economic Impact
The socio-economic impact of leatherback turtle endangerment, although less obvious, is equally significant. Many coastal communities rely heavily on marine life for their livelihood. An imbalance caused by the decrease in the leatherback turtle population can result in the loss of jobs in fisheries and tourism, affecting the livelihoods of millions of people globally.
Moreover, the less tangible, cultural value that leatherback turtles hold for many communities should not be overlooked. Many indigenous communities consider them sacred, and their potential extinction could have devastating cultural effects. The leatherback turtle also has educational and scientific value, being the subject of many research studies worldwide. Their loss not only impoverishes our ecosystems but also our cultural heritage and scientific knowledge.
Are Leatherback Turtles Specifically at Risk for Endangerment?
Leatherback turtles are especially at risk for endangerment due to several factors. One of the main reasons why turtles are endangered is the loss of nesting and feeding habitats. Additionally, they are also threatened by pollution, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear. These factors make the leatherback turtle particularly vulnerable.
Hope for the Future: Conservation Efforts and Initiatives
The global community has recognized the endangered status of the leatherback turtle and has since initiated various conservation programs to secure their populations. These efforts vary from international projects to community-level initiatives, each playing a crucial role in preserving this unique species.
International Conservation Projects
Across the globe, numerous international efforts are underway focusing on the protection and conservation of the leatherback turtle population.
Creating Protected Nesting Areas
The creation of protected nesting areas has become a key strategy in many conservation projects. These sites provide a safe environment for leatherbacks to lay their eggs away from the threats of human interference and predators. For example, the Grand Riviere in Trinidad is a globally important nesting site that has been protected and monitored to ensure the success of nesting efforts.
Regulation and Reduction of Bycatch
Another serious issue was the incidental capture of leatherbacks in fishing activities, known as bycatch. This has been considerably reduced through the enforcement of stricter fishing regulations and the development of turtle-safe fishing gear. For instance, the implementation and usage of “Turtle Excluder Devices” in shrimp trawls has resulted in a significant drop in bycatch incidents globally.
Community-level Initiatives
Beyond international efforts, community-level initiatives also contribute significantly to the conservation of leatherback turtles. Local programs often include sustained beach cleanup activities and strategies to reduce light pollution, which confuses hatchlings causing them to move inland instead of towards the sea. Educational programs also play a pivotal role in enhancing awareness and promoting turtle-friendly practices among local communities.
What You Can Do to Help
Every individual can make a difference in the survival of leatherback turtles. Something as simple as reducing the usage of single-use plastics can mitigate pollution, one of the leading factors contributing to the declining health and population of sea turtles. Participating in beach cleanups and educating others about these magnificent creatures and the threats they face can also make a tremendous difference. You can also support conservation organizations working to protect these turtles by donations or volunteering.
Resources
- https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/leatherback-turtle
- https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=specialstatus.fedsummary&species=leatherbackseaturtle
- https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/recovering-endangered-indo-pacific-leatherback-turtles
