I have good news, Pyari, the loggerhead turtle survived and was released back into the wild last week! If you remember, I had written about her in November. A shark had chewed on Pyari’s front fins and one of them had to be amputated. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center inn Florida took care of her for three months and called her the “Miracle Turtle”. Did you know that only 1 in 1000 turtles make it to adulthood? A family member got to see Pyari make her way into the ocean and I enclose a video so you can see her. I was elated to hear the news because it really is amazing that Pyari survived. And luckily, turtles only need one front fin and one back fin to swim.
Last week I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite types of turtles, the loggerhead turtle. She (Pyari) was recuperating from a nasty run in with a shark who gobbled up part of her front fins. Luckily, the rescue center is taking good care of her and she is healing. Loggerhead turtles are quite amazing, they weigh anywhere from 155 – 412 pounds and are 2.4 to 3.5 feet long. They live mostly in tropical, warm waters and are found in places like Florida and Mexico.
I am always amazed by animals and their fortitude. They remind me to live each day well, to have courage, and to not give up. They also remind me to be a better human being. May you have a happy and healthy holiday season.
Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans.
Sadly, much of the fish we eat has consumed plastic.
The mass of plastic dumped in the ocean is so large that is hard to picture. It covers areas that are bigger than some large countries, such as Mexico, or states like Texas. This pollution has an enormous effect on marine life. Can you imagine if someone dumped tons and tons of garbage inside your house –in your dining room, living room and bedroom?
If nothing changes, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish (by weight).
Fish and other marine creatures like sea turtles often can’t distinguish plastic items from food; the plastic they consume blocks their digestive systems and can often result in starvation. Marine wildlife like dolphins face other harmful consequences of plastic pollution since they get ensnared in bags and other items such as abandoned fishing lines and nets.
When you throw away a piece of plastic, you might think that you are just getting rid of a simple piece of garbage and someone else will take care of it. What if it ends up in the ocean? Have you ever thought about that?
One way you can help is to reduce the amount of items you buy which are wrapped or made of plastic. You can also make sure your garbage ends up in a waste bin and not in the ocean. Lastly, you call your senators and congress members and tell them efficient waste management structures must be put into place. Trash thrown into improperly managed landfills is not what anyone wants, especially when that trash ends up in the water where you swim or in the belly of a fish you will eat.
On June 5th we observed World Environment Day, a day started by the United Nations Environment Program to raise awareness and have people take action to protect the planet and nature. The day is celebrated in over 100 countries and was started in 1974. Each year has a theme and this year focuses on preventing the illegal trade in wildlife.
Illegal trade in wildlife endangers the Earth’s biodiversity and drives animal species to extinction. Some of the animals at risk include rhinos, elephants, tigers and sea turtles. I once had the chance to swim with wild sea turtles and was amazed and awed by their size, beauty, intelligence and grace. They helped me better appreciate the beauty of the natural world and have inspired me to protect it.
Work to counter illegal trade has been successful but there is still more work to be done. Each one of our choices concerning travel, diet and consumption makes a difference. Please make sure you stand with endangered species and help safeguard them for your children and your children’s children. You matter and your actions make a difference. Thank you.
Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans.