Protecting key Leatherback nesting sites
Conservation focus:
Leatherback turtle
Scientific name:
Dermochelys coriacea
Scientific classification:
Reptiles, Testudines, Dermochelyidae
IUCN status:
EDGE status:
VU (vulnerable)
Score 10.8, Rank 56 / 103 EDGE turtles & tortoises
Threatened evolutionary history:
44 million years
Conservation priority by EDGE rank / ecosystem
Why it matters
A no-brainer. The world’s largest turtle species is completely unique ecologically, morphologically and evolutionarily and the sole surviving member of its genus and family, representing an enormous 44 million years of independent evolution. At the time of support, some Leatherback subpopulations were critically endangered, whereas others were data deficient. Globally, this awesome creature is threatened by numerous hazards, particularly by death as “bycatch” of fisheries, followed by human consumption of eggs, meat, or other Leatherback organs, as well as coastal development.
Project fast facts
Focal species' population trend
Decreasing
Local conservation attention
High
Range / Project area
Ecological role
World's largest turtle, completely unique ecologically, morphologically and evolutionarily. Sole surviving member of its genus and family, evolved independently from other turtles for over 44 million years.
Threats
Egg collection, bycatch in fishing gear, coastal development, pollution, climate change.
Grant
First awarded:
$ 4,200 (2009, 2013)
17 March 2009
Score 10.8, Rank 56 / 103 EDGE turtles & tortoises
Programme owner
Rainforest concern
Bath, UK
Programme contact
Anna Karlsson
Project location
Panama
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Addressing the need: Project goals
Protect egg clutches and egg-laying females of the species from disturbance and poaching.
This grant was offered to contribute to patrolling nesting sites of this critically endangered species in Panama and Costa Rica.
The Leatherback Turtle is the world's largest turtle, reaching up to 900 kg and 2 m of length. This pelagic sea-turtle moves globally across all oceans, migrating as far north as Alaska and as far south as the Cape of the Good Hope.
The numbers of this large reptile are in steep decline due to both loss and looting of nesting sites, entanglement in fishing gear, collision with boats and ingestion of plastic (mistaken for jellyfish, the favourite prey of this species).
Urgent conservation needs to include the protection of nesting sites, prevention of poaching, reduction of accidental catching and of floating plastic - actually measures that apply to all sea-turtles and many other marine species alike.
Conservation actions
This grant will enable the protection of a number of nesting sites, including eggs and hatchlings, during a breeding season.
