Adopt a turtle
It's estimated that only around 1 in 1,000 turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood.
There are seven species – hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, flatback, olive ridley, Kemp's ridley and green turtle - and at least six of the seven species are at risk of extinction.
YOUR ADOPTION REALLY HELPS
Animal adoptions like yours give a huge boost to our work. They not only help fund projects to work with local communities to monitor turtle movements and protect their habitat but also fund our other vital work around the world.
PROTECT THESE INCREDIBLE ANIMALS AND RECEIVE:
CUDDLY TOY
An optional soft toy to love forever.
REGULAR UPDATES
Both Wild World and My Turtles magazines will keep you up-to-date three times a year.
FACT PACK
Packed with facts, bookmarks and stickers.
A WONDERFUL GIFT
Give a gift that will help to protect the future of turtles and their habitats.
Marine turtles are excellent navigators – they often migrate hundreds, even thousands of kilometres between feeding and nesting grounds. Male turtles never leave the sea, but females come ashore to lay eggs – amazingly to the same beach where they themselves hatched.
THREATS
FISHING
Marine turtles need to get to the surface to breathe, and if they get caught up in fishing gear, they can drown.
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
One of the main threats turtles face is the destruction of their habitats. Development along coastlines is destroying nesting beaches, making it impossible for female turtles to lay their eggs.
POACHING
Turtles are poached for their meat and shells, and nests are raided for eggs, which are seen as a delicacy in some cultures.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, and increase the number, and the intensity, of storms. This can damage and destroy nesting beaches.
HOW WE CAN HELP
We’re reducing the negative impact of fishing practices on marine turtles by promoting the use of less-harmful fishing gear – for example, ‘circle hooks’ instead of traditional ‘j’ hooks can reduce accidental capture of turtles by up to 80%.
We’re helping protect marine turtle habitats. For example, along the coast of east Africa we’re identifying important nesting sites and working with local people to help protect those beaches and the turtles that use them.
Your adoption and support will help us:
- reduce illegal fishing
- promote sustainable fishing practices
- expand and create marine protected areas
- help local communities conserve and manage their natural resources
- help strengthen law enforcement to halt the illegal trade in turtles
Turtles have light, spongy bones that help them float.