1. Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle Stories

Sea turtle hatchlings climb out of a nest in the sand and head toward the ocean in the background

New global database helps trace sea turtle origins to better protect them

WWF’s ShellBank is the world’s first global traceability toolkit and database of sea turtle DNA that aims to reverse the decline of sea turtles and recover populations.

  • How WWF protects sea turtle species across the Pacific

    July 05, 2023

    Across the vast Pacific Ocean, sea turtles travel huge distances to find food, shelter, and suitable nesting beaches. To help protect these endangered sea turtles—and all that depends on their support—WWF works with people in Indonesia, Ecuador, and Fiji.

    Four sea turtles swim around a coral reef in the Galapagos

  • Turtles, tigers, and more species receive additional protections at global wildlife meeting

    September 11, 2019

    Governments from around the world recently gathered to discuss the threat of wildlife trade on species.

    Hawksbill turtle swimming underwater in North Madagascar.

  • What do sea turtles eat? Unfortunately, plastic bags.

    Plastic has only been mass-produced since the 1940s, but it’s having a devastating impact on sea turtles. Many of us are doing our part to reduce plastic pollution by recycling and reducing single-use items, but governments must also step up to take accountability and end this pollution epidemic.

    A turtle swims toward a plastic bag

  • Can LED lights save sea turtles?

    WWF Magazine: Spring 2017
    Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are accidentally killed by fishing gear—caught on dangling hooks or entangled in nets—every year.
    Sea Turtle

  • Sea Turtles and Climate Change

    WWF Magazine: Fall 2015
    A new study shows how hawksbills are escaping the hottest waters of the Persian Gulf
    Hawksbill sea turtle looking at the camera

  • How long do sea turtles live? And other sea turtle facts

    Sea turtles have roamed the Earth’s oceans for the last 110 million years. Here’s a look at some common questions about the species.

    green sea turtle

  • New Hope for Marine Life

    November 06, 2012

    On November 6, 2012, the Government of Mozambique announced the creation of the second largest marine protected area in Africa. Made up of ten islands off the coast of northern Mozambique, this coastal marine reserve in the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago will cover more than 4020 square miles and contains abundant coral and turtle species.

    Local fishermen