HABITAT LOSS



As Example A, I site the Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii). This tiny, cute turtle only nests on ONE beach in the ENTIRE WORLD. That's the same as if there were five hundred humans left on Earth, and they were all gathered inside, say, Miami. If an asteroid were to strike Miami, they would all die. Bye, bye, Homo sapiens.

Well, I got news for you.

We're doing that to the ridley.

This very endangered species nests at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. Only at Rancho Nuevo. You might be thinking, "What happens if there's an oil spill there?" There was already one, in 1979. And the beach still hasn't recovered.
What happens if there is a hurricane there?
What happens if the beach is sold to construction contractors?
What happens if the Kemp's ridley becomes extinct?

Because it's going to happen. Unless we do something about it. We, as a species, have caused the downfall of this adorable turtle. And it's up to us to save it.



Okay, now you feel guilty, upset, angry, etc.

HABITAT LOSS

I promise to get to what I am trying to say now.

Every time a beachside condo is built, a good nesting beach is paved over in favor of human developments. Each time you drive down the beach in your brand-new, shiny SUV trying to show off to your boyfriend/girlfriend, you crush hundreds of turtle eggs.
Unfortunately, this is not "all" I mean when I say habitat loss.

Habitat loss occurs when a turtle's breeding, nesting, or feeding grounds are damaged. This is a rapidly-done but slowly-repaired process that is making life after death seem like a necessity for turtles.

Guess how many were of those are caused by humans?

ALL OF THEM.

People, we need to save the sea turtles. Because they need help.


More threats to sea turtles
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