Many of our most beautiful
animals are threatened by us; humans, and what we have been doing to the earth. This has
lead to the outraging number of species becoming placed on the endangered watch list. But one of the most endangered species since the 1970’s, Sea Turtles, is starting regain its strength.
In the article, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Rebound Shows Conservation
Strengths, written by Tom LaVenture, LaVenture addressed the main issues about
the decline of Sea Turtles.
The main reasons are the pollution of the ocean,
killing by vehicles on the beach, and diseases in the ocean. The Pacific Ocean
near the Hawaiian Islands is filled with different types of plastics that the
turtles choke on. Then on the beach there are different types of vehicles, like
ATVs and four wheelers that run over turtles and ruin the homes of many turtles
eggs.
Lastly, in the ocean there are many disease that the turtles can catch, some studies are looking at biosides from sewage and other runoff on the Shore. But
even with all these struggles, the turtle populated is starting to grow again!
“The whole purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to build
populations up so that they can be sustainably managed to maintain the
population,” said Heacock
After reading
this article I was shocked to hear that one of my favorite species are starting
to regain their numbers after such a long time of decline. Thinking of what might happen if the whole species was
wiped out was upsetting. I know that other species can decline from extinction also.
I hate knowing that some fishermen just throw their equipment
right in the ocean, not having a care in the world about the after effect. The turtles
have a hard enough time trying to make it to land to lay their eggs and then to return back to the ocean. Also the eggs have an even worse time trying to get into the water. None of these need to have any more obstacles standing in their way.
I had no clue that turtles can catch a disease from all of our runoff! So many species are struggling because of what we are doing to this earth. People have to realize that one small little thing can lead to a whole domino
effect, like the wipeout of a species.
Source from original article: http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/hawaiian-green-sea-turtle-rebound-shows-conservation-strengths/article_43b55a08-1123-11e2-bfbc-001a4bcf887a.html
Source from the picture: "Bill Myrick Art - Sacred Honu." Bill Myrick Art - Sacred Honu. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.billmyrickartist.com/php/honu.php>.
Source from original article: http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/hawaiian-green-sea-turtle-rebound-shows-conservation-strengths/article_43b55a08-1123-11e2-bfbc-001a4bcf887a.html
Source from the picture: "Bill Myrick Art - Sacred Honu." Bill Myrick Art - Sacred Honu. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.billmyrickartist.com/php/honu.php>.
That was very interesting Kate! I didn't know what a critical state the sea turles. They are one of my favorite animals too. What interested me the most is how difficult it is for them to surivive and yet they still are able to build their species. This shows how strong the species is. One question I had is, are there certain types of sea turtles that are endangered and are there locations where they are safe from the fisherman and pollution. Great Job again!
ReplyDeleteHi Cate! Sea turtles are one of my favorite species, too. :) You're article summary was very informative and interesting. I enjoyed reading about the problems that turtles face because I will now be more aware and conscious of my actions. I loved how you stated in your article summary that people's actions can effect the turtles. I never thought there were so many things that contributed to the decline of the sea turtles. I agree with your statement that "one small little thing can lead to a whole domino effect, like the wipeout of a species." To add to that, I think it's important that people are educated that what they do effects animals. I think if more people knew that what they were doing was harmful, we could create a safer environment for the sea turtles.
ReplyDeleteGood job Cate! I learned a lot from reading your article. I never knew that Sea turtles were endangered. People need to start being more cautious of littering and running over the turtles eggs. It was interesting that the turtles can catch disease. I never knew that. I am glad to hear that Sea turtles are regaining their numbers after a long period of decline. If people learn to be more cautious hopefully it will stay this way!
ReplyDeleteNice job Cate! Prior to reading your article, I had no idea that Sea Turtles were endangered. That just shows how little humans actually know about these issues. I can't help but thinking that if they were properly informed, would they have stepped up to save the species? However, it's great that the turtles are making a come back on their own. It shows that their species is strong. But what about the species that aren't capable of it? We need to start becoming aware of our actions in hope to help the almost-extinct animals prosper!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Cate! Personally, I didn't even realize that sea turtles were diminishing. Its sad because there's so much that we can do to help them out, ad it would be fairly easy. It wouldn't be that hard for us to stop leaving our plastic items around and making some signs for people to watch out for the turtle eggs. If little efforts were made, we would most likely see a huge difference in the turtle population. All we need is a little information. Great job on this article!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your article I was shocked at the different causes of sea turtles death. I already knew that they were killed from plastic and fishing nets in the water, but I never knew that the turtles and their homes would get run over by vehicles on the beach. This was a shock because I didn’t know you could ride a four-wheeler or an ATV on a beach, and because I was surprised that people just be so care free that they would run over turtles or their homes. Lastly, I had no idea that the ocean carried diseases that would kill the animals in it. It is awful to think of how many ways turtles can die since they are magnificent animals.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Cate! I really enjoyed reading your article and learning about the different reasons why the sea turtle population has been declining for so long now. Its surprising to me too that fishermen just through their equipment into the ocean not thinking of what's living inside of the deep blue sea. You mentioned in your article that the sea turtles are starting to regain strength and building up their population again, I was wondering how they are starting to do that? It worries me that such an amazing species has become endangered over the years, but your article has reassured me that their is still hope for the Sea turtles!
ReplyDelete