Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtle populations have declined by over 80% in the last century, making them critically endangered with an estimated 25,000 nesting females globally. This decline is faster than that of the Sumatran Orangutan, which has lost 80% over 75 years. Hunted for their ornate shells, which are sold in illegal wildlife markets, and losing nesting beaches to coastal development, hawksbills face dual threats. Protecting key nesting sites and banning shell trade has helped stabilize some populations, but global numbers continue to fall by about 5% annually.