Hawksbill Turtle is a critically endangered sea turtle species, classified by World Conservation Union. The reasons are because of their long lifespans, slow growth and maturity, and slow reproductive rates. Many adult turtles have been killed by humans both deliberately and incidentally. In addition, the nesting sites of the turtles are also threatened by human and animal encroachment. Small mammals have been known to raid the nesting sites and dig up the turtles' eggs. Human fishing practices, like in China and Japan, who eats them for their flesh and take their shells for decorative purposes, is the biggest threat.
Indonesian Archipelago, is one of their subpopulation in Indo-Pacific Region. Sadly but true, in near future, there will be no longer hawksbill turtle anymore in Indonesia, ProFauna said that their population in Indonesia decrease for about 50% every year. The nearest ecosystem that we can found in Indonesia is in Kepulauan Seribu, only miles away from Jakarta.
VOA news stated that the waters of Jakarta Bay are heavily polluted. Garbage dumped by the city's 12 million residents into canals that crisscross the city eventually finds its way to the sea. One study has declared the bay a "dying ecosystem." But just an hour out of Jakarta by speedboat, the murky waters turn to clear blue sea around Pramuka Island.
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| Turtle conservationist Salim displaying a hawksbill turtle on Pramuka island (Jul 2007) |
To preserve the species, local officers collects eggs from their nests and brings them to huge water-filled storage tanks until the turtles grow strong enough to be released to the sea.
More than 20,000 people living on the six islands in the park to protect the hawksbills.
"Human beings are also a big threat to the turtles," said Salim, one of conservationist . "People are careless. They take the eggs, and turtles also die in fishing nets. It's not eagles or big lizards, but humans who are the biggest predators of the turtles."
Hawksbill Turtle's flesh and shells have high economical price in Indonesia, people buy their shells for IDR 300.000 each, for their own satisfaction such as for decoration or their accessories. Deforestation of mangroves and pollution from nearby ships that reduce sea water's quality also threaten their population. But on top of it, because plastic bags in the ocean resemble jelly fish, and sea turtles eat jelly fish, turtles like this Green Sea Turtle, eat plastic bags that clog up their digestive tract and even kill them. What a way to go people! Please realize that you are making contribution in killing them.
FYI, here's a pic of deformed turtle. It's simply because there's plastic ring garbage stuck on its stomach since it was small.
Even though Salim has spent his life trying to protect and preserve the turtles for future generations, experts are not optimistic the turtles will be able to survive much longer -- so close to the filth of Jakarta bay.
What can we do?
1. Stop buying any products made by turtle shells
2. Don't throw garbages on any other places except garbage can
3. Join local organization such as ProFauna to actively contribute
4. Cut any plastic rings before you throw them off
5. Educate your family, friends, relatives, about this issues and make them participate!
Please guys, start making simple actions right now!
"Kalo bukan kita, siapa lagi?!"