The Great Green Turtle – A Sea Giant with an Ancient History

Panama, with its long coastlines, is one of the most important nesting sites for many species of sea turtles, including the great green turtle (Chelonia mydas). These majestic creatures play a key role in marine ecosystems and are the object of close attention from scientists and conservationists.

The great green turtle is one of the largest reptiles on our planet, with an ancient history. For example, on the Hawaiian Islands you can find petroglyphs with images of great green turtles.

It is sad, but for the last two hundred years they have been called “Soup Turtles”. It clearly demonstrates the barbaric attitude of people and explains why they are now considered as endangered species. People, without realizing the consequences, exterminated and ate an incredible number of these creatures.

Lifestyle

This kind of sea turtle lives in tropical and subtropical waters of all oceans, preferring shallow waters and coral reefs. Despite its name, the green turtle’s shell color can range from olive green to dark brown, and the characteristic green color is due to fatty deposits under the shell.

Green turtles have a large oval shell, which serves as reliable protection from predators. Adults can reach a length of 1.5 meters and weigh more than 300 kilograms. These turtles are excellent swimmers, capable of getting a significant speed under water.

Green turtles diet mainly consists of sea grasses and algae, which makes them one of the few large marine animals that feed on plant food. Young turtles are more omnivorous and can eat small invertebrates. This is due to the active growth of the skeletal system and shell, which affects the body’s need for calcium and other minerals.

Life cycle

Green turtles lead a solitary lifestyle, gathering together only during breeding. Females lay eggs on sandy beaches, burying the clutch deep in the warm sand.

An interesting fact is that female turtles often return to the same beaches where they were born. This process, called philopatry, is a great example of the instinct and navigational skills of these amazing animals.

After about two months of incubation, the eggs hatch into baby turtles. They instinctively head towards the light, which usually comes from the moon, reflecting off the ocean surface. Sometimes, artificial lighting from coastal cities leads them astray, and many baby turtles die before reaching the water.

After laying their eggs, the adult turtles return to the sea, and the baby turtles hatch on their own and set out on their first voyage. The hatchlings spend their first years of life in the open ocean, feeding on small organisms such as jellyfish. They then migrate to areas rich in marine vegetation, where they become adults.

Importance for the ecosystem

Green turtles play an important role in marine ecosystems. By feeding on sea grasses, they help maintain the balance of marine communities. In addition, green turtles are an important element of the food chain and serve as food for other marine animals.

The large green turtle is an amazing creature that plays an important role in the marine ecosystem. Preserving the population of marine life is the task of not only scientists and conservationists, but also of each person. Each of us can contribute to this noble cause by refusing to use plastic products, supporting eco-friendly tourism and spreading information about the importance of nature conservation.

Protection and conservation of the species

Unfortunately, green turtle populations are endangered in many regions. The main reasons for the decline in the number of these animals are:

• Fishing. Despite bans, illegal harvesting of green turtles still continues in some regions.
• Habitat loss. Coastal development and the destruction of coral reefs deprive many species of breeding and feeding grounds.
• Poaching. Green turtle meat, eggs, and shells are highly prized on the black market, making them a target for poaching.
• Ocean Pollution. Plastic debris, oil spills, and other types of ocean pollution cause enormous harm to marine ecosystems and threaten the lives of many living creatures.
• Climate Change. Rising ocean temperatures and changing climate conditions are negatively affecting the reproduction of turtles and the survival of their offspring.
• Habitat Loss. Coastal development, tourism, and other human activities are reducing the number of suitable nesting sites.
• Entanglement in Fishing Nets. Green turtles often become entangled in fishing nets and die from suffocation.

Over the past few hundred years, the green turtle population has significantly decreased. As you can see, most of the problems are related to human activity, and this is very sad. For example, on the island of Java, turtle eggs have long been considered an expensive and valuable delicacy, since their meat cannot be eaten according to Islamic law.

In Bali, not only eggs are valued, but also meat, and in the vicinity of the island, this species was exterminated back in the 1950s. Here, once again, the axiom is confirmed – without human intervention, nature lives perfectly, and most processes are regulated naturally.

Man makes his own adjustments and often spoils the environment. The list of problems that we have given above is not complete, but it gives an idea of ​​​​how much man has harmed the life and healthy population of green turtles. In this example, the impact for other species becomes clear.

All these reasons force turtles to look for safe places to lay eggs and live, attracting them to uninhabited islands and secluded areas near the coast. A large number of turtles are recorded on the coast of Panama, since there are many such places. One of them is the uninhabited island of Isla Parida and several nearby islands. Turtles have been returning here for many years, feeling the safety and cleanliness of these places. Together they form a group of islands, with excellent conditions for nesting.

Nesting in Panama

Panama’s beaches provide ideal conditions for nesting large green turtles. Sandy shores, protected from strong waves, become a safe place to lay eggs. Females choose secluded areas of the beach, where they dig holes and lay from 100 to 200 eggs in them. Then they carefully bury the clutch and return to the sea.

Isla Parida Island – a secluded piece of nature

Isla Parida Island, which is part of the Chiriqui National Park in the southwest of Panama, is a true oasis of peace and untouched nature. This small paradise, immersed in the greenery of tropical forests, is famous for its great ecology, crystal clear water and rich underwater world.

Amazing beaches with soft sand, azure waters of the ocean, bordered by palms and trees, create a unique atmosphere of privacy and peace. Here you can endlessly walk along the shore, enjoying the sound of the surf and the singing of birds, or go on an exciting journey through the jungle, discovering new species of plants and animals. And – there are no cities or villages at all, this island is absolutely uninhabited by the humans.

However, the true treasure of Isla Parida is hidden not only in its beauty, but also in its real inhabitants – majestic green sea turtles.

Ancient inhabitants of the ocean

One of the most amazing and touching sights on Isla Parida is the process of laying eggs by green sea turtles. These ancient reptiles, who have lived on our planet for thousands of years, choose this island to continue their genus. As we have already said, female turtles, overcoming huge distances, return to the same beaches where they themselves once hatched to lay their eggs in the warm sand.

Excellent ecology, deserted beaches and the absence of human settlements play a large role in this process. In addition, volunteers regularly provide support, protecting turtle eggs from birds, animals and, sometimes, even people.

Measures for the protection of green turtles

To summarize, the following measures can be noted to preserve the population of green turtles in Panama:

• Creation of protected areas. Marine reserves and national parks are being created along the Panamanian coast, where any activity that threatens turtles is prohibited.
• Monitoring of nesting sites. Volunteers and scientists regularly patrol the beaches to protect nests from poachers and collect data on the turtle population.
• Educational activities. Local residents and tourists are informed about the importance of preserving rare species and what assistance they can provide.
• International cooperation. Panama cooperates with other countries within the framework of international agreements on the protection of sea turtles.
• Fight against ocean pollution. The need to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean is one of the main topics at numerous environmental activist forums around the world.
• Measures to fight illegal fishing. Strengthening control over compliance with bans on catching green turtles is being carried out.

We need to mention the volunteers in Panama, who make a huge contribution to the conservation and development of the population of these amazing creatures. Many of them work within the framework of international programs that include work with other endangered species.

Isla Parida and other ecozones for safe breeding of green turtles

For example, on the coast of Panama, special zones are being created where turtles can nesting in complete safety and under the supervision of volunteers. This leaves no room for illegal hunting of turtles. Moreover, during the egg-laying period, volunteers monitor the coast to ensure the safety of adult turtles and future offspring. This includes a ban on fishing with nets.

In addition to Isla Parida, there is another place worth mentioning. This is a secluded beach near the small town of Malena in Panama. The conditions here are so favorable that volunteers even independently transfer eggs from other places so that the baby turtles can set off on their first voyage without the slightest danger from humans.

Also, efforts to preserve large green turtles are being made in the state national parks of Panama. An example is the Chiriqui National Park, Isla Parida also belongs to it. There are strict restrictions on fishing and any construction.

International cooperation

The protection of green turtles requires international cooperation. Many countries join forces to create international agreements and programs for the conservation of these animals. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a good example of such cooperation.

One of the most famous organizations for the conservation of endangered species, which works in Panama, is Panama Wildlife Conservation, which is engaged not only in the conservation and protection of turtles, but also in caring for other endangered species. There are many such organizations.

In addition, after the ban on international trade, many turtle farms closed, while others changed their profile, such as the Cayman Turtle Farm. Now they raise healthy offspring and care about the preservation of the species, instead of raising these creatures for food.

Summing up

Even today, the large green turtle is an object of interest for poachers and collectors around the world. These amazing creatures are an important element of the marine ecosystem, which cannot be forgotten. Their disappearance can lead to serious consequences for many other representatives of flora and fauna.