Once classified as “endangered”, green sea turtles’ status was recently downgraded to “least concern” thanks to a series of conservation initiatives.
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Green sea turtles, one of the ocean’s most fascinating animals, are no longer considered endangered. After many years of efforts to protect them, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the species has recovered enough to be reclassified as “least concern.” This means that their populations are no longer at immediate risk of disappearing, marking a major success in conservation.
Green sea turtles are among the largest of the seven sea turtle species and live in warm coastal waters in over 140 countries. They travel thousands of miles to return to beaches where they were born to nest. Their wide distribution and unique behavior make them an important part of marine ecosystems.
Unfortunately, the green sea turtle population had been in serious trouble for decades. During the 1970s, their global numbers fell sharply, with populations dropping by 50% to 67%. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and fishing practices were some of the main reasons for this decline. Over the years, conservationists worked hard to reverse this trend, and recent studies show that the population has grown by about 28% since those earlier decades.
The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, which tracks the extinction risk for animals and plants, now lists green sea turtles as a species of least concern. This improvement was based on a global assessment completed in December 2024.
Efforts to help green sea turtles involved protecting nesting beaches where females lay their eggs and ensuring that the eggs could hatch safely. Conservationists also worked to reduce the number of turtles accidentally caught in fishing nets by introducing special tools like Turtle Excluder Devices. Illegal hunting and trade of turtles and their eggs were also addressed through education and stronger law enforcement. These efforts have been successful in many parts of the world, proving that coordinated conservation actions can have a big impact.
The recovery of green sea turtles is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together to protect the environment. However, experts warn that the work is not finished. Some populations, such as those in Costa Rica and Hawaii, are still struggling. These groups face challenges like fishing gear entanglement, loss of habitats, and the effects of climate change. If these issues are not addressed, their populations might decline again, putting them at risk once more.
Scientists and conservation groups continue to stress the importance of protecting green sea turtles and their habitats. While their recovery is a major milestone, ongoing efforts are essential to ensure that they can thrive in the future. The story of the green sea turtle shows how global teamwork can bring species back from the brink of extinction, offering hope for other animals that are still in danger.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons.
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