Chapter 2

The Turtle Crisis

Turtles are in crisis. Of the more than 300 species worldwide, about half are currently threatened with extinction. Freshwater, marine and land turtles are all affected. The situation in Asia—where nearly 80 percent of freshwater turtles have been lost in the past decade—is so serious that it even has a name: the Asian Turtle Crisis. 

Faced with this dire situation, many governments, scientists and concerned individuals have come together to save the turtles. But in order for their efforts to succeed, people must first understand the problem. In this chapter, you’ll learn how habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, pollution, harvesting for food and the pet trade, and road and fishing deaths continue to threaten turtles around the world. You’ll also meet some of the most threatened turtles on the planet.

The hawksbill turtle

is critically endangered.