{"id":52030,"date":"2022-05-23T14:50:41","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T02:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=52030"},"modified":"2026-05-20T15:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T03:24:45","slug":"world-turtle-day-sea-turtles-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/world-turtle-day-sea-turtles-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea turtle love on World Turtle Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today is World Turtle Day. It\u2019s a perfect excuse to shell out a bit of love and respect to sea turtles, the iconic ocean ambassadors.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Turtles in Elphinstone reef, near Marsa Alam. Elphinston Reef, also known as the \u2018Ras Mohammed of the South’, is a spectacular reef and one of the most beautiful sites in the region.
\u00a9 Greenpeace\/Marco Care<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Turtles are ancient creatures, largely unchanged for many millions of years. The biggest turtle roaming our seas today is the massive leatherback, a turtle with a leathery shell that can grow to be as big as a double bed. But even they start life as a ping-pong ball sized egg.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
French Guiana. Leatherback turtle enters the sea after nesting.
\u00a9 Pierre Gleizes \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The first trial of life for baby turtles is a daring dash across the beach from where their mother laid eggs. Only the most fortunate make it to the sea by dodging predators such as birds, crabs, and foxes.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
A leatherback turtle hatching on Awala Yalimapo Beach emerges from sand and seeks to reach the ocean.
\u00a9 Jody Amiet \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Todays turtles are small when compared to the extinct species Archelon. The Dino-turtle was twice as long as todays leatherbacks. Its head alone was up to 90cm long.<\/p>\n\n

Some turtles are named for the way they look. The loggerhead has a big head. The hawksbill has a very pronounced beak. However green turtles are named for having green fat under their shell.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Loggerhead turtle laying eggs at Mon Repos beach, Queensland, Australia.
\u00a9 Greenpeace \/ Tom Looney<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Different species have different tastes in food: from somewhat dull diets of jellyfish or sea grass, to sponges and crunchy crabs. Some are even known to snack on flying fish, which is pretty impressive catching.<\/p>\n\n

Like other reptiles, turtle babies gender is influenced by temperatures. Hotter temperatures produce more females. A recent study showed that climate change is an increasing threat<\/a> as a result.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
The release of a green turtle that became trapped in the trees while trying to lay her eggs overnight. Greenpeace’s Esperanza captain Mike Finken and Cathy, a Heron Island research scientist performed the rescue.
\u00a9 Dean Sewell \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Six out of the seven of the worlds species of turtles are in danger<\/a>, from us. Entanglement in fishing gear, habitat destruction, pollution, and hunting have all taken their toll. Greenpeace is working to tackle destructive methods of fishing that catch and kill turtles<\/a>. We\u2019re also taking on climate change, pollution, and the destruction<\/a> of nesting sites.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
An Olive Ridley turtle in a holding net at a fish farm outside Sanya in Hainan Island.
\u00a9 Paul Hilton \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

On World Turtle Day, and every other day, we need your help to protect their ocean homes.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

We’re working to establish a global network of protected ocean sanctuaries on the open seas, areas beyond any one country’s own jurisdiction. Protecting these areas will help turtles.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
A green turtle (Chelonia mydas) swims over sea grass, The Maldives
\u00a9 Greenpeace \/ Paul Hilton<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

So, on World Turtle Day please join us by adding your name to the call for ocean sanctuaries<\/a> so we can lobby government on behalf of you, and our turtle-y awesome flippery friends.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n \t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPETITION: Create global ocean sanctuaries\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Call on the Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to create new global ocean sanctuaries and protect our blue planet.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t \n Sign the petition\n <\/a>\n \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Turtle appreciation on World Turtle Day. 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