Sup turtle?

This week’s post is about Hawksbill Turtle! Hahaha I went to read up more about it because it is the name of my randomly chosen group for the video project. Anyway, hawksbill turtle is known to be internationally critically endangered, and they are named for their distinctive beak-like mouth shape. Their brown coloured shells are strikingly coloured and has a pattern of overlapping scales, making them highly-valuable and commonly sold as "tortoiseshell" in markets. These turtles are very important in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of coral reefs and sea grass beds. Found mainly throughout the world's tropical oceans, Hawksbills prefer shallow coral reefs to deep waters. They have even been regularly sighted along the Singapore Strait and females have also been spotted at East Coast Park to lay eggs! 

Sadly, these turtles are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, excessive eggcollection, fisheries bycatch, pollution, coastal development, and global climate change. And despite many national laws and protection, illegal wildlife trade is the most important factor for diminishing number of turtles. Global numbers are very difficult to estimate but it appears that the hawksbill turtle has suffered a drastic decline, probably by as much as 80 percent over the last century. They are highly sought after for their beautiful brown and yellow carapace plates that are manufactured into tortoiseshell items for jewellery and ornaments, and hatchlings have also been sold on the black market as aquarium pets. 

Thankfully, actions are taken to save the world's marine turtles by many international bodies with careful monitoring of populations and a decrease in illegal trade, Hawksbills may respond well to long-term protection. So if anyone spot turtle hatchlings on ECP remember to call NParks and help to rescue these cute turtles!

References

National Parks, "What you need to know about Hawksbill Turtles." Accessed September 17, 2014. http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/docs/Advisory_on_hawksbill_turtle.pdf.

Wildscreen Arkive, "Hawksbill turtle." Accessed September 17, 2014. http://www.arkive.org/hawksbill-turtle/eretmochelys-imbricata/image-G2416.html.

World Wildlife Fund, "Hawksbill Turtle." Accessed September 17, 2014. http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/hawksbill-turtle.