Turtle populations have been declining at an alarming rate throughout the world in recent years. A number of factors have contributed to this decline.

Adults of many species are harvested for food. With their relatively slow rate of maturation turtles cannot withstand heavy cropping and still maintain their populations. Overcollecting is certainly a major problem. The volume of the pet trade has resulted in the removal of many adults from the populations, and the gathering of eggs and juveniles reduces the rate of replacement of those adults left to die of natural causes. Fortunately, recent salmonella scares and conservation legislation have reduced the pet trade in turtles. Insecticides and herbicides probably contribute to the decrease in the numbers of turtles. Large quantities of chlorinated hydrocarbons (ingredients in many pesticides) may be stored in the body fat and be released later to poison the turtle while it fasts. In urbanized countries the automobile has had a detrimental effect: thousands of turtles die on the highways each year; in all too many cases they are struck deliberately.

Cuora yunnanensis (left) probably went extinct early in the 20th century.
Are congeners like Cuora trifasciata (right) and other SE Asian species to follow soon?
(photos: Carl H. Ernst and Huub Veldhuijzen van Zanten)

The general deterioration and disappearance of the natural environment has eliminated entire turtle populations, and in many of the underdeveloped areas turtles and their eggs constitute a major protein source for native peoples.

If turtles are to remain a conspicuous part of our fauna we must initiate conservation measures. Although we do not yet know enough about turtle biology to formulate adequate conservation plans for all species, certain needs are obvious. The waterways and lands harboring important populations should be protected from undue human disturbance and pollution. The trend away from the use of the dangerous residual pesticides must be continued. Countries must pass and enforce legislation controlling the capture of these creatures in the wild.

Equally important is the fact that more people need to become acquainted with the many fascinating aspects of turtle biology. Such awareness will surely make people more interested in the protection of these shy creatures. The creation of such an attitude—not only toward turtles but also toward our dwindling wildlife—is a major purpose of the Turtles of the World CD-ROM.