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Protect Our Disappearing Turtles

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Many species of turtles and tortoises are threatened with extinction. Take the World Turtle Day Pledge and make a difference for these incredible creatures!

Protect Our Disappearing Turtles

Turtles and tortoises have survived for millions of years. They may not survive what people are doing to them now.

As of the IUCN’s 2025 Red List update for turtles and tortoises, 174 turtle species are formally listed as threatened, and the specialist group that tracks the full class estimates that about 196 of the world’s 364 species are threatened overall.1 That is an emergency.

Threats Are Closing In From Every Side

The danger comes from many directions at once. Turtles are still caught in fishing gear, struck by boats, pushed out by coastal development, trapped by pollution, and killed or trafficked for sale as pets, meat, eggs, or body parts.2,3

Plastic is part of that crisis. In a 2025 analysis covering all seven sea turtle species, researchers found plastics in the digestive tracts of nearly half of the sea turtles studied at death, and one in 20 sea turtles in the dataset died from ingesting plastic.4 That means a tossed bag, wrapper, or scrap of fishing debris can become a death sentence.

Even Nesting Beaches Are Under Pressure

Climate pressure is rising too. New research highlighted by AGU in 2026 found that some of the world’s most important nesting beaches are already eroding, and several leave turtles little room to move inland as seas rise.5 Even when adult turtles return to nest, the beach itself may be disappearing beneath them.

Illegal Trade Still Devastates Wildlife

Illegal trade remains brutal. In Operation Thunder 2025, an Interpol-led global crackdown rescued nearly 30,000 trafficked animals in one month, including 2,040 tortoises and turtles.6 That number is not just a statistic. It is proof that turtles are still stolen, shipped, sold, and treated as merchandise.

Protection Works When People Act

There is hope, but only if people act. NOAA reported in 2025 that many sea turtle populations are rising where nesting beaches are protected, harmful lighting is reduced, and fisheries use tools that cut bycatch.2 Protection works when it is real.

Turtles need cleaner water, safer beaches, stronger enforcement, less plastic, and people who refuse to look away.2,4,5,6

Sign the pledge and stand up for turtles before more of them vanish.

  1. Turtle Taxonomy Working Group, IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (2025), "Turtles of the World: Checklist and Atlas (10th Ed.)."
  2. NOAA Fisheries (6 June 2025), "Sea Turtle Week 2025: Celebrating Sea Turtle Conservation."
  3. IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservation Coalition (2025), "Turtles in Trouble."
  4. Ocean Conservancy (17 November 2025), "Groundbreaking Research Identifies Lethal Dose of Plastics for Seabirds, Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals."
  5. AGU News (12 March 2026), "Sea level rise squeezes turtle nesting beaches."
  6. INTERPOL (11 December 2025), "30,000 live animals seized in global operation against wildlife and forestry crime."

The Pledge

Turtles are some of the most fascinating and unique creatures on our planet, but many species are now facing extinction due to human activities. On this World Turtle Day, I pledge to take action to help protect these incredible animals and reduce my negative impact on their habitats.

Here are ten actions I pledge to take:

  1. I will reduce my consumption of turtle and tortoise products, including meat, shells, and eggs.
  2. I will never release a pet turtle or tortoise into the wild, as this can introduce diseases and disrupt native ecosystems.
  3. I will participate in beach cleanups to remove debris that could harm turtles or their habitats.
  4. I will avoid using plastic bags and straws, which can end up in the ocean and harm turtles.
  5. I will speak out against destructive practices like oil drilling and mining in sensitive turtle habitats.
  6. I will support legislation that protects turtles and their habitats.
  7. I will educate myself and others about the importance of turtles and their role in our ecosystem.
  8. I will use my social media platforms to raise awareness about the threats facing turtles and encourage others to take action.
  9. I will volunteer my time to help with turtle rescue projects and other conservation efforts.
  10. I will support organizations that work to protect turtle habitats, conduct research, and raise awareness about the threats facing these animals, like Greater Good Charities and Project Peril.

By taking these actions, I pledge to do my part in protecting turtles and their habitats, and help ensure that future generations can enjoy these amazing creatures. I urge others to join me in taking the World Turtle Day pledge and making a difference in the lives of these endangered animals.

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