Reptiles
Turtles, snakes & iguanas
Turtles, Snakes & Iguanas
Evolving during the time of the dinosaurs, turtles in particular are critically endangered from massive overhunting, nesting area destruction, suffocation as by-catch, ghost net entangelment, plastic ingestion and a number of other causes. The aid organisation websites give excellent accounts of the curretn situation with turtles.
Marine Iguanas are the only marine lizards and found only on the Galapagos.
Turtles
Of the seven living species of sea turtles, two are critically endangered, Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Kemps Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii); the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is endangered; three of the remaining species are vulnerable.
The Eastern Pacific Leatherback Turtle population has declined by 90% in the last 30 years. Nearly 5000 turtles are caught yearly as bycatch by Indonesian longlines alone.
Illegal trade, bycatch, habitat loss in the egg-laying areas are the main causes of the drastic decline in turtle numbers.
Help is needed at all levels - global through to local groups, and also in education. Check out the aid organisations for up to date details on how to help, and the current conservation status.
Snakes
There are about 72 species of sea snake a number are critically endanged due habitat destruction in their highly restricted ranges. Degredation of coral reefs with the resulting reduction in prey-fish and death as bycatch through intensive trawling.
The species shown below are two of the commonly seen sea snakes.
Any help that you give to protect reefs and protect coastal will help protect sea snakes.
Lizards
There are six subspecies of Galapagos Marine Iguanas, the only marine lizards on the planet. On islands where people live, the iguana populations have been greatly effected by predation from cats and dogs. Climate change causing progressively stronger El Niño effects also impacts the iguana populations resulting in up 85% mortality.
Help here by supporting the Charles Darwin Foundation (which funds the Charles Darwin Research Station) or other Galapagos aid organisation.
Help Save Reefs!
The organisations that work to protect turtles, the Galapagos and our oceans need as much support as they can get. Check out:
SOS Sea Turtles
Sea Turtle Foundation Galapagos:
Charles Darwin Foundation
Galapagos Conservation Trust
WildAid Marine
If you are a diver, and especially if you are an underwater photographer, donate. If you do nothing, there will be nothing to dive on and nothing to photograph.
These are suggestions, but not endorsements of the suggested organisations. It is your responsibility to review and check the charities you wish to donate to.
Turtles
Turtles
Of the seven living species of sea turtles, two are critically endangered, Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Kemps Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii); the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is endangered; three of the remaining species are vulnerable.
The Eastern Pacific Leatherback Turtle population has declined by 90% in the last 30 years. Nearly 5000 turtles are caught yearly as bycatch by Indonesian longlines alone.
Illegal trade, bycatch, habitat loss in the egg-laying areas are the main causes of the drastic decline in turtle numbers.
Help is needed at all levels - global through to local groups, and also in education. Check out the aid organisations for up to date details on how to help, and the current conservation status.
Snakes
Snakes
There are about 72 species of sea snake a number are critically endanged due habitat destruction in their highly restricted ranges. Degredation of coral reefs with the resulting reduction in prey-fish and death as bycatch through intensive trawling.
The species shown below are two of the commonly seen sea snakes.
Any help that you give to protect reefs and protect coastal will help protect sea snakes.
Marine Iguanas
Marine Iguanas
There are six subspecies of Galapagos Marine Iguanas, the only marine lizards on the planet. On islands where people live, the iguana populations have been greatly effected by predation from cats and dogs. Climate change causing progressively stronger El Niño effects also impacts the iguana populations resulting in up 85% mortality.
Help here by supporting the Charles Darwin Foundation (which funds the Charles Darwin Research Station) or other Galapagos aid organisation.
