A MESSAGE FZOM THE OLIVE RIDLEY TO YOU
Sea turtles are in danger worldwide, for many reasons. Some species of turtles are killed for
their meat, which is used to make turtle soup. The shell of the hawksbill turtle is used
to make tortoiseshell products like eyeglass frames and hair accessories.
Many turtle eggs and hatchlings are eaten by predators like dogs and crows. But the
biggest danger comes from fishing. Many sea turtles get accidentally caught in
a variety of fishing nets, drown, and die.
In India, there are many conservation groups that are trying to save sea
turtles. Each coastal state has one or more such groups.
WHAT CAN YOU DO -ro PROTECT SEA TURTLES?
If you live near a beach where turtles come to nest:
• Help keep the beach clean so that baby and mother turtles do not get hurt.
• Educate the adults in your locality about how streetlights and other lights near the beach
can be harmful to turtle hatchlings - once they hatch, hatchlings figure out where the
sea is by looking for the reflection of moonlight on water, so if there are other bright
lights in the area, they can get confused and wander off in the wrong direction, and into
danger.
• Find out if your state has a local sea turtle conservation group and see if you can join
them.
If you don't live near a beach:
• Read more and more about sea turtles and talk to everyone you know about the dangers
they are facing. Spreading awareness is a BIG part of conservation.
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