Malé, Maldives – Maldives is at risk of losing the turtle species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Five turtle species listed at risk of extinction in the Maldivian seas are leatherback sea turtle, Olive Ridley turtle, Green Sea turtle, Loggerhead sea turtle and Hawksbill sea turtle.
While the Ministry of Environment states that the authorities are applying maximum efforts to conserve sea turtles, turtles are coming ashore and laying eggs in developmental areas like near bridges and on airport runways in the island nation. Turtles are known to return to the exact spot where they were born to mate and lay their own eggs.
In addition, illegal turtle fishing and consumption of turtle parts and harvesting eggs are also continuing practices in the Maldives.
