More than half of the world’s 359 turtle and tortoise species now face extinction, with the crisis worsening despite global conservation efforts.Asia is the epicenter of the crisis, accounting for 32 of the 66 most threatened species due to intense harvesting, illegal trade and habitat destruction.The economics of extinction create a vicious cycle, where rarer species become more valuable to collectors, incentivizing further hunting of the few remaining individuals.Successful conservation projects include habitat protection, captive breeding, community engagement and adaptive management, with local communities playing a crucial role.
“Most people have a turtle story, whether that’s seeing a turtle at an aquarium, having a turtle as a pet as a kid, or they helped one cross the road, or one happened across their backyard one day,” Jordan Gray, from the Turtle Survival Alliance, told Mongabay.
For many Indigenous cultures, turtles hold profound spiritual significance. Some refer to North America itself as Turtle Island. These ancient creatures seem to inspire an innate human connection, but these survivors of the age of dinosaurs now face their greatest challenge: us.
More than half of the world’s turtle and tortoise species now face extinction, according to the 2025 “Turtles in Trouble: The World’s Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles” report compiled by the Turtle Conservation Coalition.
