The green turtle has returned from the brink of extinction in a victory hailed by scientists worldwide. Once hunted extensively for turtle soup, its eggs as a delicacy, and decorative shells, the ancient mariner saw its population crash. The species has remained endangered since the 1980s.
Decades of conservation restore green turtle numbers
Global conservation initiatives over the last decades have helped green turtles rebound. Programs protect eggs, release hatchlings on beaches, and reduce accidental capture in fishing nets. Recent data confirms populations are growing.
Dr Nicolas Pilcher of the Marine Research Foundation in Sabah, Malaysia, said this success should inspire further conservation victories. Green turtles rank among the largest sea turtle species and owe their name to the greenish hue of their body fat from a plant-based diet.
Signs of recovery around the world
Green turtles are one of seven living sea turtle species, two of which remain critically endangered. Prof Brendan Godley, a conservation scientist at the University of Exeter, said conservation work over five decades has allowed populations in many regions to recover. This progress, he added, gives reason for optimism, though protection efforts must continue for years.
“Sea turtles are iconic species that inspire people,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands have worked for decades to protect them, and their impact is visible.” Conservation strategies include patrolling beaches, protecting females and eggs at nesting sites, releasing hatchlings into the ocean, raising awareness to prevent poaching, and implementing measures to prevent capture in fishing nets.
The red list update
The latest IUCN Red List, released at the world conservation congress in Abu Dhabi, tracks 172,620 species, 48,646 of which face extinction threats. Species move between risk categories when new population, habitat, or threat data emerges. If populations decline or habitats suffer, species move to higher-risk categories. Successful recovery allows a shift to lower-risk statuses.
The green turtle has been downgraded from Endangered to Least Concern. However, its numbers remain far below historic levels due to past overexploitation and ongoing threats such as fishing, habitat loss, and climate change. In locations like Raine Island, Australia, fewer hatchlings are emerging, showing conservation remains critical.
Other species face rising risks
The update brought concerning news for Arctic seals. Shrinking sea ice has pushed the hooded seal from Vulnerable to Endangered. Bearded and harp seals now rank as Near Threatened. These animals depend on sea ice for breeding, resting, and feeding, making its loss a serious survival threat.
