Recently we were very pleased to see the positive change on the conservation status of some marine turtle species on the 2017 IUCN Red list website (www.iucnredlist.org). It appears the tireless efforts for sea turtle conservation over the past few decades are starting to have an impact. In 2000 the Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) was uplisted from Endangered (EN) to Critically Endangered (CR) due to the perceived threats and extinction risk for the species. By 2013 the Leatherback Turtles have been down listed to Vulnerable (VU) by 2013. Another marine turtle species for which populations are making a recovery is the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) which was also re-assessed as Vulnerable (VU) in 2015 after previously beig listed as Endnagered in 1996.
Congratulations to all those who have worked on marine turtle research and conservation and made such a difference. Hopefully, in near future, many species of tortoises and freshwater turtles will be out of critically endangered and endangered red listings by the IUCN and be making strong recoveries.
Link to the most updated list of turtle species in Vietnam.
Press release: Hoang Van Ha – ATP/IMC
Date: 17th July 2017
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