A heart for sea turtles
First donation for the Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Marino Costera
The first donation of this year for the sea turtle rehabilitation centre arrives just in time, because unfortunately an X-ray machine has just broken down and had to go into repair. Difficult times in Ecuador, because the X-ray machines are an important part of Ruben's medical inventory. This makes it easier to examine most of the turtles so that the injuries can then be treated more specifically.
Stephanie brought the donations (collected by makoi) herself and handed them over to Ruben, who happily thanked her. Stephanie was allowed to meet some of the new patients during her visit.
*Picture: Ruben and Stephanie (from left to right)
The threat to sea turtles from humans
The threat to sea turtles from humans
Unfortunately, many sea turtles become victims in the bycatch of industrial fisheries or local fishermen, who then often release the animals from the fishing nets by force instead of using gentle methods. In addition, they are exposed to extreme stress during such a procedure, which further harms the animal. To avoid such scenarios, it is important to educate local fishermen. Many of the animals also become entangled in fishing gear left behind, which often causes them to drown. Plastic pollution is also a dangerous threat to sea turtles, as the ingestion of just 14 plastic particles can lead to death.
Two patients in the «Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Marino Costera»
The sea turtle in the first picture has a bad head fracture. Unfortunately, this happens quite often, mostly due to human interference.
The turtle in the second picture had to have its front flippers amputated. Unfortunately, this was necessary because the turtle had been trapped in a fishing net for too long and the severe injuries to its flippers could no longer be treated. She will now remain in the centre forever.
The important role of the sea turtle in the world's oceans
The important role of the sea turtle in the world's oceans
Sea turtles have been living on our planet for 100 million years and keep the world's oceans healthy and in balance. Sea turtles maintain coral reefs, transport nutrients through the ocean and can serve as a tiny oasis for fish and seabirds in the open ocean. This makes them an important component for the marine ecosystem.
Nevertheless, in only about 500 years, we humans have driven sea turtles to the brink of extinction. 6 out of 7 species are either threatened or at risk of extinction.
What would happen without sea turtles?
More jellyfish would dominate our oceans, adversely affecting fish species as jellyfish eat fish eggs and larvae. Seagrass would overgrow and begin to decompose, creating huge amounts of slime. Sea sponges would dominate the reefs and restrict coral growth. Without sea turtles, the world would be a less beautiful place.
How can you help sea turtles?
- Support together with makoi the great work of Ruben and his rehabilitation centre.
- Switch to a more plant-based diet and eat less seafood.
- Beteilige dich an Säuberungsaktionen zur Plastikverschmutzung.
- Talk to other people about this issue and its weighting. Share this post.
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