Hawkbill Turtle

[Frankie]

I found this story and wanted to share.
I find it interesting that we keep blaming ourselves for the endangered list. I recently saw a documentary on sharks that were feeding on these turtles.

The Hawksbill Turtle is an endangered species. Like other Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles are in danger of disappearing forever because of several ways people mistreat these beautiful animals. Sea Turtles are hunted too much, for their shells and for food. Sea Turtles are hit by careless drivers in speedboats when the Turtles swim to the surface to breathe. And Sea Turtles are running out of places to build nests on beaches because of too much development and trash on beaches. In spite of all this, I have been really lucky to see Hawksbill Turtles on many of my trips to the oceans.
Click on the link to finish the story:
e-ReefNews, Vol. 7, No.1 - Open Wide: Hawksbill Turtle Eats a Sponge

[djbacon]

seen tons of these guys in Kauai - no shortage of them there fortunately

[Octoman]

Originally Posted by Frankie

I find it interesting that we keep blaming ourselves for the endangered list. I recently saw a documentary on sharks that were feeding on these turtles.

Sharks don't consume at nearly the levels that we did (and still do in some places). We go beyond consumption to exploitation and that's how we have pushed sea turtles, whales, and many more to the brink and beyond. The problem is we turn it into an industry where we use technology to collect and process enormous amounts of animals with dangerous efficiency.

Here's a recent image of a sea turtle harvest. I didn't direct post it because it may be too much for some people...

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/images/sea-turtle-boat.jpg

Not too long ago, harvests like this were the way business was done. It's illegal now, but back then, we killed them by the hundreds and thousands on a regular basis...

[Frankie]

I agree Mark. It is awful what we have done to this planet and its inhabitants. I just get upset when people like yourself and I who work hard to help this planet don't get equated into the big picture.
My goal was to stimulate some responses on the topic. I don't think the picture is gore or anything so i will past it in.