Virtually all species of marine turtles in the world are classified as highly endangered, and some are on the verge of extinction. In all instances, human interference in their life cycle is to blame, such as beach front development, light pollution on their nesting sites, injuries from boat strikes, drownings in nets (also known as 'by catch'), and unsustainable over harvesting of their eggs. It is estimated that only one in every ten thousand turtle hatchlings will make it to adulthood. The following photo essay tells the story:
On this beach in Costa Rica, over harvesting means there will be no hatchlings this season to replenish the species. A species that has survived 200 million years will vanish. Thanks to my friend Jim L. for supplying the photos.