CHAPTER III.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

Environmental principles - inform legal and political frameworks that aim to
minimize the ill-effects of human activity on the environment.

Six (6) environmental sustainability principle.

1. Reduce - is simply creating less waste. It's the best method for
keeping the environment clean, so it's the first of the 3 Rs. By
reducing, you stop the problem at the source. Making less waste to
begin with means there's less waste to clean up.
- Reduce means to minimize the amount of waste we create.

2. Reuse - Reuse, share, sell, or give away still usable items. Here are
some examples: – Office and school supplies like binders, binder paper,
file folders, and mailing envelopes. – Share gently used clothing and
toys your children have outgrown with friends and family.

-refers to using items more than once.

3. Recycle - The process of converting waste materials into new

materials and objects.
-means putting a product to a new use instead of throwing it away.

4. Refuse - Don't buy something you don't need.

Here are some examples of refusing materials:
a. Bring your own Tupperware to restaurants.
b. Carry a water bottle and hot drink cup.
c. Carry a reusable bag in your car or purse.
d. Request no plastic ware in take-out, if eating at home.

5. Rethink – Be mindful of what you buy. Ask yourself if you really need
something.
- is about considering how our actions affect the environment.
 6. Repair - extends the useful lives of the products we buy. That saves us
money in two ways.

Attributes of ecosystem and biodiversity

Ecosystem attributes are focused on habitat characteristics that may affect
a species such as its condition, structure, or whether there are support areas
present. Key process attributes that may affect habitat or species
include structural legacies, disturbance, or degree of exposure to human
pressures.
What is the role of biodiversity in the ecosystem?
Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth,
including humans. Without a wide range of animals, plants and
microorganisms, we cannot have healthy ecosystems.

Biodiversity is fundamental to sustaining life, supplying critical ecosystem

services such as food provisioning, water purification, flood and drought
control, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. These services are essential
to support human well-being and economic growth. Yet despite the significant
economic, social and cultural values of biodiversity and ecosystem services,
biodiversity worldwide is being lost, and in some areas at an accelerating
rate.
Biodiversity is usually explored at three levels: genetic diversity, species
diversity and ecosystem diversity. These three levels work together to create
the complexity of life on Earth.
1. Genetic Diversity - the biological variation that occurs within species.
It makes it possible for species to adapt when the environment
changes. Genetic diversity is particularly important under rapid
environmental change.

2. Species Diversity - the number of different species present in an

ecosystem and relative abundance of each of those species.” Diversity
is greatest when all the species present are equally abundant in the
area.
 2.1 Species Richness - which refers to the total number of
individuals within that community.
2.2Species Components - species composition which is the total
number of different species present (types of plants, animals, etc.).

3. Ecosystem Diversity - the variety of different habitats, communities

and ecological processes. A biological community is defined by the
species that occupy a particular area and the interactions between
those species.

Various threats in environmental well-being:

1. Pollution – is the result of emissions from industries, automobiles,
and the increasing use of fossil fuels.

2. Climate change – In common usage, climate change describes

global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature
—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a
broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to Earth's
climate.
3. Deforestation – Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal
and destruction of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then
converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of
forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated
deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests.

4. Biodiversity – Human activity leads to the extinction of species and

habitats and biodiversity loss. Ecosystems, which took so many years
to perfect .

5. Ozone depletion – consists of two related events observed since

the late 1970s: a steady lowering of about four percent in the total
amount of ozone in Earth's atmosphere, and a much larger
springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone around Earth's polar
regions. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole.

6. Human overpopulation – describes a concern that human

populations may become too large to be sustained by their
environment or resources in the long term. The topic is usually
 discussed in the context of world population, though it may concern
individual nations, regions, and cities.

7. Acid rain –Pollutants in the atmosphere such as sulfur dioxide and

nitrogen oxides cause acid rain, which has negative consequences
for humans, wildlife and aquatic .

8. Ocean acidification – Harvesting materials such as minerals from

the ocean floor and the building of towns and cities also impact the
natural environment and biodiversity.

9. Waste management – Waste management or waste disposal

includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from
its inception to its final disposal.

10.Diseases – Runoff to rivers carries with it toxins, chemicals and

disease-carrying organisms. Pollutants cause respiratory diseases
like Asthma.

11.Overfishing – affects natural ecosystems severely and leads to an

imbalance of ocean life.

12.Resource depletion – will lead to an energy crisis over time. The

chemicals emitted from many natural resources contribute to climate
change.

13.Soil degradation - Globally, food security depends on the factor of

whether or not soils are in good condition to produce crops.

Threats to humanity:
1. Climate change -definitely at the top of practically every list of the
most important issues facing our planet today.

2. Nuclear war - The large-scale use of nuclear weapons is one of the

most catastrophic scenarios for humanity. The direct impact would
cause massive loss of life.
 3. Pandemic - The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated just how
destructive a rapidly spreading disease can be.

4. Biodiversity loss - The world is entering an era of dramatic species

extinction driven by human activity.

5. Super volcanoes - The super volcanic eruption of Mount Toba 75,000

years ago almost led to the extinction of mankind.

6. Terrorism - has significantly increased since the 11 September 2001

attacks.

7. Virus - Despite advances in hygiene, vaccines, and other health

technology, natural pandemic outbreaks remain among the most
potent global threats.

8. Extreme weathers - Global warming and consequent heat waves

impact differently on human lives as sudden floods, forest fires, low
agricultural yield.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

- The International Union for Conservation of Nature is an international
organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable
use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global
authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed
to safeguard it.
- is the world's oldest global environmental organization.
- Conservation of natural resources is very important because these
resources are being depleted very rapidly. Depletion of natural
resources has ill effects on the environment which in turn harms human
life.
- Dr Grethel Aguilar, born in Costa Rica, assumed office as Director
General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in
October 2023.
 6 Nature Conservation Methods
1. Planting trees. Each year, approximately 15 billion trees are cut
down.
2. Using alternative energy resources. (Solar, wind, hydropower)
3. Establishing protected areas. (An important foundation for human
survival and development.)
4. Protecting biodiversity. (preservation of natural habitats and key
biodiversity areas)
5. Hunting restrictions.
6. Proper planting. (Place the plant in the hole and plant deep enough
that the top of the root ball is about one inch above the surrounding
soil.)

Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland

CEO: Bruno Oberle (Jul 13, 2020–)
Founder: Julian Huxley
Founded: October 5, 1948, Fontainebleau, France
President: Razan Al Mubarak
Employees: Over 900 (worldwide)
Focus: Nature conservation, biodiversity

Nipas Law:
- National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (Republic Act
No. 7586)
- This law provides the legal and developmental framework for the
establishment and management of protected areas (PAs) in the
Philippines.
- to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources
found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest
extent possible.

Convention on Biodiversity:
- The Philippines was among the active countries that have participated
in the drafting the Convention, and saw it through the signing in Rio de
Janeiro during the Earth Summit in 1992.

- The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world,

containing two-thirds of the earth's biodiversity and between 70% and
80% of the world's plant and animal species.

- The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of plant species and maintains
5% of the world's flora.

- The Philippines' Wildlife Act (RA 9147) - An Act providing for the
conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats,
appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes.

- National Integrated Protected Areas System (RA 7586 and

11038), - This law provides the legal and developmental framework for
the establishment and management of protected areas (PAs) in the
Philippines.

- Clean Air Act (RA 8749) - This Act establishes a comprehensive air
pollution control policy for the country by preserving and protecting air
quality, establishing an air quality management system, prohibiting
certain forms of waste disposal, and regulating emissions.

- Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) - otherwise

known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, provides
the necessary policy framework, institutional mechanisms and mandate
to the local government unites (LGUs) to achieve 25% waste reduction
through establishing an integrated solid waste management.

- the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (8371) - The Act makes

provision for the promotion and recognition of the rights of Indigenous
Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), with a view to
preserve their culture, traditions and institutions and to ensure the
equal protection and non-discrimination of members.
 - Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act (RA 9168) - An Act to
provide protection to new plant varieties, establishing a National Plant
Variety Protection Board and for other purposes.
-
- Toxic Substances & Hazardous & Nuclear Wastes

CHAPTER IV. Specific or relevant techniques in environmental crime detection

Morphology of sawdust
- is a by-product or waste product of woodworking operations such as
sawing, sanding, milling and routing. It is composed of very small chips
of wood. These operations can be performed by woodworking
machinery, portable power tools or by use of hand tools.

- Sawdust or wood shaving is a by-product of wood, obtained from

various woodworking operations, for instance, sawing, planing, sanding,
and milling of wood. It is a relatively abundant, cheap, and
lignocellulosic compound, which finds in large quantities and has
disposal problems.

- small chippings of wood.

What is the difference between sawdust and sand?

sawdust is composed of fine particles of wood, while the sand is
composed of fine particles of a rock.
How harmful is sawdust?
- exposure to excessive amounts is considered to have an irritant effect
on eyes, nose and throat in addition to pulmonary function impairment
and is considered a human carcinogen.
What is sawdust used for as a fuel?
- It can be burned to generate heat and energy, making it an eco-friendly
alternative to fossil fuels. Sawdust is often used in wood-burning stoves,
 fireplaces, and boilers, and can be compressed into pellets for use in
pellet stoves and other biomass heating systems.

CHAPTER V. Specific lists of various conservation status

1. Vulnerable
2. Critically endanger
3. Least Concern
4. Extinct
5. Near Threatened
6. Conservation dependent
7. Data deficient
8. Not evaluated
9. IUCN Redlist

What is a CITES? is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the
threats of international trade. It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a
meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Philippines is a member to CITES since November 16, 1981. Presently, the
Convention has 183 member-states.

The Philippines has been a Party to CITES since 1981 and is currently
considered a Category 2 country, meaning the national legislation in place is
believed to meet one to three of the four requirements for effective
implementation of CITES, which are laid out in Resolution Conference 8.4 (Rev.

What animals are listed in CITES?

They include some whole groups, such as primates, cetaceans (whales, dolphins
and porpoises), sea turtles, parrots, corals, cacti and orchids. But in some cases
only a subspecies or geographically separate population of a species (for
example the population of just one country) is listed.

What are the vulnerable plants in the Philippines?

List of Plants species that are Vulnerable in Philippines;
 Baccaurea odoratissima.
 Canarium luzonicum.
  Canarium ovatum.
 Celtis luzonica.
 Cinnamomum philippinense.

What is the Philippine red list?

JREL is The National List of Threatened Terrestrial Fauna of the Philippines, also
known as the Red List, is a list of endangered species endemic in the
Philippines and is maintained by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) through its Biodiversity Management Bureau and the
Philippine Red List ...

What are the threatened flora in the Philippines?

The main families of plants contributing to the threatened plant list (number of
taxa in brackets) are Orchidaceae (57), Dryopteridaceae (34), Arecaceae (32),
Begoniaceae (32), Dipterocarpaceae (31), Meliaceae (31), Thelypteridaceae
(29), Cyatheaceae (29), Gesneriaceae (24), and Rubiaceae (22) (Table 4).

1. JAVAN RHINOS
Once found throughout south-east Asia, Javan
rhinos have suffered a staggering decline in their
numbers due to hunting and habitat loss. The lone wild
population of Javan rhinos is one of the rarest of the
rhino species—around 75 individuals—which can only
be found on the island of Java, Indonesia.

The Ujung Kulon National Park, a World Heritage Site,

is the last remaining refuge of Javan rhinos. But the
area also suffers from the invading Arenga palm,
leaving the rhinos with less food to eat and less habitat
to roam. Besides, the small Javan rhino population is
also extremely vulnerable to extinction due to natural
catastrophes, disease, poaching and potential
inbreeding.

© Ola Jennersten / WWF-Sweden

2. AMUR LEOPARD
The Amur leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the
world, with only around 100 individuals left in the wild.
Although their wild population seems to be stable and
increasing, these leopard subspecies are still critically
endangered since 1996. And there is a good reason
that: Amur leopards can only be found in a relatively
small region of the far east of Russia and north-eastern
China at present.
The remaining Amur leopards face multiple threats to
their survival, including habitat loss and
fragmentation, prey scarcity and transportation
infrastructure such as roads. However, there is hope
for this rare big cat. Around 75% of their home range
lies in protected areas in Russia and China, and they
are also moving into suitable habitats outside of these
protected areas.

© naturepl.com / Lynn M. Stone / WWF

3. SUNDA ISLAND TIGER

The Sunda Island tiger, or the Sumatran tiger, is the
smallest tiger subspecies in the world, weighing up to
140kg. For reference, the tigers that live in the Amur
region are the biggest of all the big cats where males
can weigh up to twice as much as Sunda Island tigers.
They are also very rare - there are estimated to be
around 600 in the wild, and are only found on the
Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Since the 1980s, the human population of south-east

Asia has nearly doubled from 357 million to around
668 million in 2020. And this has had an impact on
tiger numbers, which have been shrinking along with
their habitats.

As human settlements expand in the region, Sunda

Island tigers are increasingly likely to encounter
people, which could lead to a further rise in human-
tiger conflict. Tiger poaching and illegal trading of tiger
parts and products are also of serious concern to their
survival.
© Brent Stirton / Reportage for Getty Images / WWF

4. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
The Mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern
gorilla, which lives in two isolated populations in the
high-altitude forests up in the volcanic, mountainous
regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda
and Uganda, and in the Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park of Uganda.

The Virunga Landscape has a history of political

instability along with high levels of poverty in the
region. This poses a substantial threat to mountain
gorilla numbers as people have moved into areas
closer to these great apes for food, shelter and space
—over 500,000 people live near mountain gorilla
habitat at present. Despite this, mountain gorillas are
making a promising recovery with conservation efforts
and interventions from local and international partners
and the WWF through the International Gorilla
Conservation Programme.

At present, mountain gorillas are currently listed as

endangered species, with just over 1,000 individuals in
the wild. However, multiple threats remain that can
hinder recovery progress for this species.
© Maxime Aliaga / WWF

5. TAPANULI ORANGUTAN
The Tapanuli orangutan is the newly described species
of orangutan, listed as a distinct species in 2017. Only
a single, isolated population of Tapanuli orangutans
exist in the wild, which is restricted to the tropical
forests of the Batang Toru ecosystem on the island of
Sumatra, Indonesia.

Today, these tree-dwelling primates are critically

endangered with fewer than 800 individuals in the
wild, making them the most endangered great ape
species in the world. The loss of habitat is one of the
main threats to its survival as tropical forests are being
replaced by agriculture, mining, and hydroelectric and
geothermal development. Between 1985 and 2007,
over 40% of the forests in the province of North
Sumatra, where the Tapanali orangutan is found, were
lost.
© Justin Jin / WWF-US

6. YANGTZE FINLESS PORPOISE

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise is the odd one out of its
family as it is the only living freshwater porpoise found
in the world. This aquatic mammal currently resides in
the Yangtze River in China and is listed as a critically
endangered species.

While the Yangtze river plays a crucial role in healthy

ecosystem functioning, years of environmental
degradation, overfishing and water pollution in the
region are having detrimental impacts on many animal
species who call it their home.

Once upon a time, Yangtze river dolphins used to live

alongside finless porpoises, but there haven't been any
freshwater dolphin sightings for the past two decades.
Sadly, this could be yet another stark reminder of what
soon may follow for many endangered species,
including the Yangtze finless porpoise.

To protect this species, China has upgraded finless

porpoises to ‘first level protected species’ in 2021—the
highest level of protection available in the country. In
2018, their numbers were still around 1,000 individuals
and stabilising in the wild.

© Richard Edwards / WWF-UK

7. BLACK RHINOS
Between 1960 and 1995, black rhino populations
suffered dramatic losses in their numbers due to large-
scale poaching. Around 2% survived the severe
onslaught of the past. As rhino conservation took hold,
their numbers have more than doubled across Africa
since the 1990s. But, black rhinos are still listed as
critically endangered by the IUCN, with around 5,630
individuals in the wild.

Three subspecies of black rhino now survive, with the

western black rhino declared extinct in 2011. Today,
95% of black rhinos are found in just four countries:
Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The
biggest threat to the remaining population is still
poaching for their horn—in the last 10 years, almost
10,000 African rhinos have been killed to supply the
illegal rhino horn trade.
© naturepl.com / Bruce Davidson / WWF

8. AFRICAN FOREST ELEPHANT

Deep in the dense, humid forests of West and Central
Africa, you can find the elusive forest elephant, one of
the two members of the African elephant species. The
actual number of wild African forest elephants remains
uncertain due to their shy nature, but we do know that
they are critically endangered species and have
declined by an estimated 86% over 31 years.

The main reason behind the decline is due to

poaching, which is frequent, widespread and intensive,
especially in Central Africa. As well as elephant
poaching, habitat loss and land-use change for
agriculture and other land uses have resulted in
fragmented habitats and increasing human-elephant
conflict leading to losses on both sides.

Today, African forest elephants occupy around 25% of

their historic range, scattered among 20 different
African nations, mostly in Gabon and the Republic of
Congo.

Nine endangered species in the Philippines

Here are nine of the best-known endangered species in the
Philippines; you can see the full list here.

1. Philippine Eagle
The Philippine eagle, sometimes known as the monkey-eating
eagle, is the country’s national bird and is one of many endemic
species in the Philippines. It has a brown-and-white feather
pattern and a bushy crest, and is thought to be one of the world’s
largest and most powerful birds. Deforestation, mining, and
pollution are all major risks to the Philippine eagle’s survival.
In 1990, the Philippine eagle was added to the red list of critically
endangered wildlife created by the IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature).

There are only a few of these eagles left in the world. For the
past 56 years, their global population has been steadily falling.
Various laws have been created to protect the Philippine eagle,
but they have been poorly enforced, resulting in the eagle’s
continuous decline.

Natural parks such as Mt. Apo and Mt. Katinglad have natural
reserves and other protected areas. The captive breeding of
these eagles is overseen by the Philippine Eagle Center in
Davao, on the island of Mindanao.

2. Tamaraw
The tamaraw, sometimes known as the dwarf forest buffalo, is
an animal found only in the Philippines, specifically on the island
of Mindoro.

During the 1900s, these endemic beasts roamed freely across

Mindoro’s wide expanse, but as man began to develop and
populate the island, the tamaraw population began to fall. When
Mindoro was attacked by the rinderpest, or cow epidemic, in the
1930s, their numbers plummeted.

The tamaraws were also victims of illegal hunting and the animal
flesh trade among Mindoro residents. These indigenous beasts
were on the verge of extinction by the 1960s. In 1969, it was
thought that less than 100 animals remained, placing the
tamaraw on the IUCN’s critically endangered list.

5,000 hectares of Mount Iglit-Baco, in Mindoro, were turned into

a National Park to provide a safe haven for tamaraws in order to
encourage their conservation and protection. These unique
beasts are free to roam and procreate in their native habitat.
After successful conservation efforts, there are around 480
tamaraws in the wild today.

3. Philippine Crocodile
The IUCN has classified the Philippine freshwater crocodile, or
Mindoro crocodile, as critically endangered. The decline of the
Philippine freshwater crocodile has been attributed to illicit
hunting and dynamite fishing.

The Philippine crocodile’s greatest threat is the enormous

clearance of rainforests that serve as the crocodile’s natural
home. The woodlands are being cleared to make way for
farming.

Another threat comes from local people, who hunt the crocodiles
illegally. Locals need to be educated about the differences
between the small Philippine freshwater crocodile and the larger
saltwater crocodiles that live in the same area. Locals frequently
hunt the smaller, endangered native crocodile species without
recognising the consequences.

4. Walden’s Hornbill
Walden’s Hornbill is native to the Philippine islands of Panay and
Negros; there are also small flocks in Zamboanga del Norte,
Mindanao. Excessive hunting and illegal logging have resulted in
the extinction of this species in the Negros and Guimaras
provinces. As a result, it has been added to the IUCN list of
critically endangered species.

5. Net Coral
The number of net corals is in decline. Due to this population
trend, it has been classified as an endangered species by the
IUCN.

This variety of coral has been targeted in the aquarium trade, as

its appearance makes it a desirable addition to a tank. In
addition to being extracted and used in aquariums, net corals are
also vulnerable to coral bleaching. Net corals are strongly
reactive to the bleaching phenomenon, making them a species
that is likely to go extinct soon.

6. Visayan Warty Pig

The IUCN lists the Visayan Warty Pig as a critically endangered
species in the Philippines. The pig, which was once common
throughout the central Philippines, is now only found on two
islands: Panay and Negros. Although it has not been proved,
there may still be a small herd on Masbate island.

Illegal hunting and logging, as well as agricultural land

destruction, contributed to the Visayan Warty Pig’s extinction on
Cebu. To meet the region’s increased need for crops, the
animals’ natural habitats were converted into rice fields. This
species is now bred in captivity in small numbers. Although they
are extremely rare, some still exist in the wild, which explains
why little is known about the mammal’s natural habits.

7. Tarsier
These primates are found on the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol,
and Mindanao, as well as a handful of smaller islands like
Dinagat and Basilan.

Tarsiers are a tourism mascot in Bohol, but there is little

regulation surrounding this practice. Many tarsiers are exhibited
in deplorable conditions at roadside attractions. Given the
difficulty of keeping tarsiers alive in captivity, mortality is high
among these creatures – when they die, replacements are
seized from the wild. Deforestation and increased typhoons due
to climate change also pose a threat to wild tarsiers.

8. Philippine Forest Turtle

The Philippines is home to five of seven sea turtle species in the
world. All five of these species are threatened and listed as
endangered.

The Philippine forest turtle, sought by collectors for its

uniqueness, continues to face a major threat from the illicit pet
trade. In 2015, a single bust in Palawan uncovered nearly 4,000
turtles.

9. Negros Bleeding-Heart
This pigeon is only found on the islands of Negros and Panay
and is on the IUCN’s list of critically endangered Philippine
pigeon species. They are ground feeders – which means they
hunt on the ground and are easy prey for poachers – and always
move in couples or flocks. The Bleeding-Heart population is
declining due to continuing deforestation, excessive hunting, and
the illegal exotic pet trade.

© Anup Shah / naturepl.com

9. SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN
The Sumatran orangutan is found exclusively on the
island of Sumatra, Indonesia. They are listed as
critically endangered by the IUCN at present, with less
than 14,000 individuals in the wild.

Sumatran orangutans face similar threats to their

Bornean and Tapanuli counterparts. From logging,
agricultural plantations, and expanding infrastructure
development to the illicit pet trade.

Orangutans need vast tracts of connecting forest to

live in but between 1985 and 2007 these great apes
lost 60% of their forest habitat. Today the majority of
these orangutans are found in the northernmost tip of
Sumatra in the Leuser Ecosystem, a landscape that
includes tropical lowland rainforests and steamy
peatland swamps.
© Martin Harvey / WWF

10. HAWKSBILL TURTLES

The Hawksbill turtle is one of the seven species of
marine turtles and is found in nearshore tropical and
subtropical waters of the Atlantic, the Indian, and the
Pacific Ocean. Their numbers are believed to be
between 20,000 and 23,000 nesting turtles, although it
is difficult to assess their true population numbers
since marine turtles are the true ocean wanderers.

In the last 30 years, the worldwide populations of

hawksbill turtles have reduced by at least 80% as a
consequence of accidental capture in fishing gears,
nesting habitat degradation, coral reef damage and
the illegal trade of hawksbill shells and products.

Other human-led threats such as plastic pollution,

climate change and rising sea levels could further
contribute to the decline of this species in the future.
At present, Hawksbill turtles are listed as critically
endangered.