The Caribbean Sea Turtle: Leave them Alone

Sea turtles are majestic creatures that sometimes live for centuries. Despite their longevity, the Caribbean sea turtle population has suffered greatly. Their size has decreased 99% and are in danger of being completely eradicated from the area.

The next generation should not have to learn what these  creatures  looked like just from pictures. We all want to leave a world for them where they may be able to  experience going to the beach at night during nesting season, and observing the baby turtles scramble to the sea after being hatched.
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Here is how you can help according to nps.gov:

• Become a Sea Turtle Beach Patrol Volunteer.
• Never touch or chase them! By touching, chasing or riding them, visitors disturb their eating, resting and even nesting habits.
• Don't litter. Remember some turtles mistake balloons, and plastic for food.
• Don't leave deep ruts, holes or tracks in the beach. The baby sea turtles get stuck in them when they hatch attempt to reach the sea.
• Prevent light from shinning on beaches.
• Do not drive on beaches. You risk crushing eggs.
• Never disturb feeding or nesting turtles.
• Never buy or sell sea turtle products.

Did You Know?... 

1. Trunk Bay, in St. John, VI, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, got it's name from the Leatherback turtle because according to local lore, "the backs of the leatherbacks  look like  a steamer trunk floating";
2. Our most common turtles are the green, the hawksbill, and the leatherback;
3. An adult hawksbill can weigh up to 1,200 pounds;
4. Males never leave the ocean; only the females come ashore for nesting;
5. They travel long distances for foraging and nesting; some have been known to travel more than 1,200 miles.

Read more here:
www.nps.gov/viis/learn/nature/turtles-of-the-virgin-islands.htm
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/june15/sea-turtles.html
https://news.mongabay.com/2006/08/historic-caribbean-sea-turtle-population-falls-99/
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