Wanderers in the Oceans of the World (25/35)

Wanderers in the Oceans of the World (25/35)

Turtles are among the oldest creatures of the world; they have survived the dying of the dinosaurs and withstood the most diverse natural catastrophes. Now, however, it is man who is threatening their very existence by hunting, developing the coasts and polluting of the seas. Whether turtles have a chance to survive throughout the world depends above all on those projects which are reserving some of the last unspoiled sections of the coast for these saurians to lay their eggs. TAMAR, a Brazilian initiative to preserve the turtles, has overcome the initial difficulties, employs former turtle hunters and egg collectors as beach guards and pays them from initiatives which have been launched along with the project: small factories, information centres for tourists and an effectively managed network of sponsors. By carrying out basic research into the behaviour of the turtles TAMAR has even acquired a scientific reputation. If, for example, in future their long expeditions through the oceans are systematically recorded, then this could improve the protective measures.