Thursday, April 28, 2016

Ah, the Red Crowned Roof Turtle




















This critically endangered but beautiful freshwater turtle can be found in South Asia, although only a few hundred remain. The turtles like to bask in the sun on land. In the breeding season, the heads and necks of male turtles exhibit bright red, yellow and blue coloring. The females excavate nests in which they lay clutches of up to thirty eggs.

Historically, this turtle was found in central Nepal, northeastern India, Bangladesh and probably Burma, but it has suffered declines in population due to being harvested for meat and shells, drowned in fishing nets, water pollution, hydro-electric schemes and habitat loss. Fewer than four hundred adult females are thought to remain in the wild, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature rating this turtle as being "critically endangered." India has put conservation measures in place, and a captive breeding program has been initiated.

The large Batagur turtles are probably the most threatened freshwater turtles in India. Their populations have now been drastically reduced due to poaching for their meat and shells, accidental drowning in fishing gear, water pollution, hydroelectric infrastructure projects, habitat destruction by sand mining, and egg predation by jackals.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Puerto Rico's Turtle Defender!

The Sierra Club has awarded Luis Jorge Rivera Herrera the 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize for his years of work protecting Puerto Rico's most vulnerable coastal ecosystems, particularly leatherback sea turtle nesting beaches. Nice job, Luis, thanks for your dedication!

Read the full story HERE






















Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Jelly World

Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk — one of the Rock Islands of Palau — surround a snorkeler in their
midst. The saltwater lake’s golden jellyfish, harmless to humans, spend much of their lives
following the sun. For these jellies, sunlight is essential, nourishing the algae-like organisms
that live symbiotically in their tissues.

Photo courtesy of National Geographic Your Shot

Monday, April 4, 2016

Lunch in Hawaii

Enjoy this green sea turtle grazing at Mother Nature's all-natural buffet!