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Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
Nature Trail: Sea turtles migrating farther north due to rising temperatures in North Atlantic Ocean
There are seven species of sea turtles in the world. The Leatherback Turtle is by far the biggest and is the only one with a soft, leathery back. The remaining six species are smaller in size and have hard shells. These are the Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Turtle, and the Flatback Turtle. Five Loggerhead Turtles were recently found on Irish beaches between Inch in Co Kerry and Belmullet in Co Mayo. They are currently being cared for at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Co Kerry. The species is critically endangered so significant efforts are being made by the staff there to save these marine reptiles and to ensure they make a speedy recovery. If you are at loggerheads with someone all it means is that you strongly disagree with them about something; it has nothing to do with turtles. Loggerhead Turtles get their name from their disproportionally large heads. They have exceptionally big heads to contain their powerful jaws and jaw muscles that they use to crush the shells of hard prey items like crabs, clams, and whelks. Loggerhead Turtles have a worldwide distribution. They are the most common species of turtle found in the Mediterranean Sea, where they nest on beaches in Greece, Turkey, and Israel. They are also found around the Canary Islands. On the other side of the Atlantic they are common in Florida. Their young are known to undertake long-distance migrations and to be able to cross the ocean. Scientists recorded a severe marine heatwave in the North Atlantic Ocean in the summer of 2023, with record-breaking sea surface temperatures, so it is believed that turtles are coming farther north due to global warming. Consequently, we are likely to see more strandings especially along the west coast. The Green Turtle is a rarer species. One of them was washed up on a beach in Quilty, Co Clare last February. When it recovered from its ordeal Aer Lingus assisted in its transport to the Canary Islands. If you find a stranded turtle the advice is not to try to return to the sea but to get it to a safe, warm place and to phone the emergency hotline at 097 28118 as soon as possible.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Turtle conservation faces uphill battle
The nesting season for female green turtles at the city's beaches, including Hawke's Bay, has concluded. Between September 2024 and January 2025, 403 female turtles arrived at the beaches, but only 180 successfully laid eggs, while 223 turtles were forced to return to the sea without nesting due to encroachments, permanent constructions, and blocked traditional paths. According to in-charge Marine Turtle Unit at Sindh Wildlife Department Ashfaq Memon, 20,756 eggs were collected and placed in protective pits, resulting in 11,082 hatchlings being released into the sea. The department had aimed to collect 25,000 to 30,000 eggs this season. Six turtles were tagged for research during the season to monitor their movements and habitat use. Conservation efforts are yielding long-term results, with nearly 0.9 million hatchlings released into the sea since 1975. However, experts warn that the Green Turtle, now the only surviving nesting species in the area, is at increasing risk of extinction due to threats such as coastal pollution, garbage, and recreational disruptions. The Olive Ridley turtle, once found in the region, is now considered locally extinct, with no live females sighted on Karachi's beaches since 2010. Contributing factors include coastal pollution, injuries from boat propellers, and disruption from recreational infrastructure. The Green Turtle's survival is also threatened by these factors.
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
'Arribada' vanishes from shores
The rare and awe-inspiring natural event known as arribada-a synchronized mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles-has vanished from Pakistani shores, experts say. Once a common sight along the country's coastline, this unique species has not been recorded nesting in Pakistan since 2001. Arribada, a Spanish word, meaning 'arrival', refers to a remarkable phenomenon where thousands of female Olive Ridley turtles come ashore to lay eggs. This event occurs at select beaches across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and is considered one of nature's most spectacular events. According to marine experts, five of the seven known species of sea turtles used to frequent Pakistani waters until the 1970s. However, in the following decades, only two species-the Green Turtle and the Olive Ridley-continued visiting the region. Now, only Green Turtles remain. Olive Ridley turtles, the smallest and most abundant species of sea turtles globally, are known for their olive-green shells and preference for warm tropical waters. Despite their adaptability, they have mysteriously disappeared from Pakistani beaches over the past two decades. Experts believe both environmental and human-induced factors may be responsible for their disappearance. According to Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor to WWF Pakistan, climate change could be a significant contributor to the disappearance of Olive Ridleys from the country's coastline. However, Dr. Babar Hussain, Natural Resource Management Coordinator at IUCN Pakistan, points to a more immediate cause-the Tasman Spirit oil spill that occurred off the coast of Karachi in 2003. "This incident had a devastating impact on marine biodiversity," he said. "Since the spill, no Olive Ridley turtles have been sighted along our shores." Globally, Olive Ridley turtles are known for their synchronized nesting behaviour. During arribada, hundreds of female turtles come ashore in moonlit hours to dig nests in the sand, each laying between 100 and 120 eggs. Once the eggs are laid and buried, the females return to the sea. After 45 to 60 days, hatchlings emerge and instinctively crawl toward the ocean. These mass nesting events are observed in countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and India. For instance, La Escobilla beach in Mexico hosts up to 450,000 nests annually, while Costa Rica's beaches receive nearly 600,000 female turtles during the breeding season. In India, Odisha's Gahirmatha and Rushikulya beaches are world-famous arribada sites. Despite confirmed Olive Ridley migration routes near Pakistan, the country has not seen a nesting event in over two decades. Experts stress that this ecological loss is not just a scientific concern but also a missed opportunity for promoting eco-tourism. "The arribada is not only a spectacle of nature's coordination but also a reminder of how delicately balanced marine ecosystems are," said Moazzam Khan.
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Three Filipinos jailed, fined for possessing Green Turtle derivatives
The three Filipinos jailed, fined for possessing Green Turtle derivatives. KOTA MARUDU (May 26): Three Filipinos were each sentenced to one year in jail and fined RM220,000 for possessing green turtle derivatives, with an additional eight months' imprisonment if they fail to pay the fine. Sessions Court judge Akhiruddin Acho handed down the sentence after the trio pleaded guilty to possessing an estimated 865kg of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) derivatives, stored in 39 sacks and 14 boxes. On Sept 27, 2023, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers arrested them in Sabah waters near Simpang Mengayau, Kudat. The case was later transferred to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further investigation and prosecution. The accused — Erwin Monares Comendo, 39; Rudyzon Darol Infante, 37; and Arnel Meniano Getes, 52 — were charged under Section 41(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which imposes stricter penalties for possessing fully protected wildlife derivatives.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
‘Turtles are key indicators of healthy environ, awareness must to save them'
1 2 Varanasi: To mark World Turtle Day, the forest department on Friday organised a seminar at Sarnath Zoo to raise awareness and sensitivity towards conservation of turtles. Every year on May 23, World Turtle Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the declining number of turtles globally, protect their habitats, arrange for their rehabilitation, and rescue them. Forest conservator of Varanasi Circle Ravi Kumar Singh said "Turtles are one of the oldest living species in the world, dating back about 200 million years, existing even before birds, snakes and lizards. Their presence in the ecosystem is crucial as they are considered indicators of a healthy environment. They play a significant role in the food chain, and their existence is vital for controlling several plant and fish species. " He said there are over 300 species of turtles worldwide, with around 130 declared endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In India, there are 29 species of turtles, including 24 species of tortoises (land turtles) and 5 species of sea turtles. Most of these turtles are protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to him, India is home to five species of sea turtles, including Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green Turtle and Hawksbill. The first three are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, the Green Turtle is Endangered, and the Hawksbill is Critically Endangered. Without conservation efforts, these species may soon become extinct. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
