Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Loggerhead Turtles. The Loggerheads, or caretta caretta, is a heavy species of marine turtles. They use their strong jaws to crunch their prey, such as sea urchins and clams. In the Mediterranean, their population is abundant, and often times nest in Greece and Turkey. Their species have been on Earth since prehistoric times, about 100 million years. They play an important role in the wildlife cycle. The nutrients from their scat become sediments to the ocean floor and small microorganisms take shelter on their shell. More than 100 species of plants and animals have been found on one shell of a Loggerhead.

          These crucial fellows are disappearing though. They are critically endangered. Although they are not hunted for their meat and shell like other marine turtles, the Loggerhead is endangered because of bycatch. Bycatch is when an unwanted animal is caught in fishing nets used for seafood instead. Every year, about a thousand Loggerheads are caught in nets meant for shrimp. Coastal and human development risks their lives. When baby Loggerheads are hatched, they expect the moon’s light to guide them to the sea. However, city lights bring them the wrong way, and they die. If they don’t die, a person might take them in as a pet, which is illegal. Their nests are disturbed by human activity.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Start a petition
2. Tell someone
3. Clean up beaches and stop pollution
4. If you live on the coast, turn off your lights after 10 PM.
5. If you eat seafood everyday, take a break

Help the Loggerhead Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Leatherback Turtles!

Help the Leatherback Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Leatherback Turtle. The Leatherback is a heavy turtle. They weigh about 600-1500 pounds and are up to 6 feet long, the largest of their turtle family of the ocean. Unlike other marine turtles, their shells are leather-textured, hence their name. They migrate across the oceans, Atlantic and Pacific. They are vital for the ecosystem because of their consummation of jellyfish, balancing the jellyfish population. They attract tourists, which promotes ecotourism.

          However, their population is no longer stable. They are critically endangered, and are the world’s most endangered marine turtle species. Because plastic appears like jellyfish, these turtles might accidentally swallow plastic and choke to death. They get caught in fishnets and hooks when migrating across seas. They also are losing their habitat due to human activities and development. The nesting areas are being disturbed through vehicles and activity. Tens of thousands of eggs are being collected as a hobby. In fact, in Southeast Asia, it is legal to collect their eggs and sell them. Now, the Leatherbacks are locally extinct in Indonesia.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Start a petition
2. Tell someone or write an article for the newspaper
3. Start cleaning up beaches, or better yet, anywhere.
4. Boycott products made from Leatherbacks, such as eggs.
5. Don’t disturb their homes, like nests or coral reefs.

Help the Leatherback Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Hawksbill Turtle!

Help the Hawksbill Turtle!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Hawksbill Turtle. The Hawksbill Turtle is known everywhere for the beautiful pattern on their shell. They get the name from their beak, which resembles a lot like a hawk’s. They weigh 100-150 pounds and measure to be three feet long or smaller. Living in deep coral reefs and tropical waters, they feast upon sea anemones and sponges. They are vital for the coral reef systems. They eat off the coral that surfaced in the water, letting fish to feed and swim with more space. Along with other marine turtle, the Hawksbill has been present on the Earth practically 100 million years. However, they won’t be here for long.

          They are critically endangered, almost gone in the wild. One reason for their danger is illegal trading and poaching. Even though many countries prohibit the trading of their shells, people still poach them to use the shell for jewelry and decoration. Bycatch also threatens the Hawksbill, along with many other endangered animals. Pollution risks their lives, especially when the baby turtles swallow harmful trash, such as plastic.

          There are many ways for you to help. You could:

1. Tell someone
2. Start a petition
3. Boycott the use of their shells
4. Lessen your diet on seafood
5. Help pick up trash along the beach or other ocean areas

Help the Hawksbill Turtle!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Green Turtle!

Help the Green Turtle!

        Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Green Turtle! Chelonia Mydas is a marine reptile turtle that lives in the coral reefs around the world and the Galapagos Islands. From 150-400 pounds, they measure to about 3 feet long. One of the largest marine turtles, they are herbivorous and are named not for the color of their shell, but because of their green cartilage and fat. They are found in tropical or subtropical waters of the sea, and are one of the most admired turtles in the world.

          But soon, they will no longer be on this Earth. They are endangered and their population is decreasing. Bycatch is one major cause of their risk. Bycatch is when an unwanted animal is caught in fishnets and hooks solely for the capturing of seafood. Green Turtles migrate across the ocean to nest their eggs. They are frequently caught in fishnets and gillnets for these occasions. Because of human activity, the beaches needed for their nests are being taken or damaged. Sea grass beds, the Green Turtle’s main food source, are in danger of sedimentation and pollution. Green Turtles and their eggs are being harvested for various reasons. All these contributing factors are making the Green Turtles disappear.

          But there are many way for you to help. You could:

1. Start a petition and get people to sign it
2. Tell someone
3. Boycott Green Turtle eggs or other products
4. Clean up beaches and avoid damaging their nests
5. Abstain from seafood for a while (optional)

Help the Green Turtles!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the Atlantic Cod!

Help the Atlantic Cod!

         Hello, this is IGL and this post is about helping the Atlantic Cod. The Atlantic Cod was once an abundant species of fish. The Atlantic Cod has a tannish-gold color with yellow fins that shine in the water. There long, slender body could easily be seen in the high waters because of their beautiful glinting color. This fish was traded and sold widely in markets, even the colonial times during the seventeenth century. The fish was so plentiful the people back then didn’t bother of conserving the Atlantic cod.

          However, the present day has a lack of Atlantic cods in the world. The Atlantic cod is currently endangered and scientists believe that they will soon be extinct. Organizations helping this species of fish agreed to make an Atlantic cod fish watch, which means that fishermen can make sure they aren’t fishing too much of them. People are working to keep the Atlantic cod thriving so they will be soon hunted as food once more, but not too much to endanger them again. 

          There are many ways to help the Atlantic cod. You could:

1.     Limit eating so much Atlantic cod if you already.

2.    Try eating a different species of fish that is more abundant in the oceans.

3.    Donate to organizations that help this fish, such as NOAA.

4.    Spread the word about the Atlantic cod.

5.    Boycott foods with the Atlantic cod.

6.    Start a petition and get people to sign it.

Help the Atlantic cod!

Idea+Gift=Love IGL

Help the dolphins!

Help the Dolphins!

          Hello, this is IGL and this post is about the dolphins. Dolphins are many people’s favorite animal. In fact, it is one of Victori’s favorite animals too. But we might not see them in the future. Some species of dolphins are extinct!

          The first reasons some dolphins are becoming extinct is because of bycatch. Fishermen accidentally catch them into their nets. And the fishermen were just trying to catch some tuna!  

          Another reason is dolphin food. In some places, people serve dolphin seafood. You probably don’t eat dolphin seafood, but it happens in Japan and the Japanese government allows it. Yes, they serve dolphin sushi!

          The third reason is because of pollution. You see a surf dude throw a water bottle onto the shore. But soon, the waves come up and splash the beach. Then poof! Water bottle gone. Dolphins usually eat the trash, including plastic bags, soda cans, and other objects. The pollution also increases the acidity level in the water. And dolphins live in the water! Also, when people ride on boats, the propeller could scrape the dolphin.

          There are many ways to help. You could:

1. Stop littering! In fact, don’t litter at all.
2. Start a petition
3. Spread the word
4. Pick up trash
5. Donate to charities

All these ways could help dolphins all the time! Help the dolphins!

-Idea=Gift=Love IGL

Help the Galapagos Penguin

Help the Galapagos Penguin!

          Hello, this is IGL and this topic is about the Galapagos penguin. They are endangered and are found only on a small island. They are the only penguins found north of the equator.

          The Galapagos penguin is threatened by climate change, bycatch, and pollution. People also bring dogs to the Galapagos Island and the dogs carry diseases the penguins can’t cope with. Cats also prey on the penguins. There are less than 2000 Galapagos penguin living. You could:

1. Donate to the Galapagos penguin
2. Start a petition
3. Clean the planet
4. Spread the word

Help the Galapagos Penguin!

-Idea+Gift=Love IGL