The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is no longer considered at risk of extinction. After decades of global efforts, the IUCN Red List has finally reclassified the species from “endangered” to “minimal riskIt is historic news, presented at the world congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Abu Dhabi, which marks a turning point in the protection of marine ecosystems.
A long conservation journey
Once the victim of intensive hunting for turtle soup and the trade in decorative shells, this marine species had almost disappeared from the oceans. Since the 1980s, numerous conservation projects have worked to protect it, from awareness campaigns to egg protection nets on beaches to reducing bycatch in industrial fisheries.
According to experts at the Marine Research Foundation, the results are proof that international cooperation can reverse the course of biodiversity loss. Today, green turtle populations show signs of steady growth, although they remain below historical levels.
Many, too many, species are still threatened with extinction
Alongside this good news, the new update of the IUCN List highlights a less reassuring overall picture. Out of 172,620 species assessed, 48,646 are threatened with extinction. Some marine animals, such as the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), have gone from “vulnerable” to “endangered” due to the loss of Arctic ice, which is essential for reproduction and nutrition. The bearded seal and the harp seal have also been reclassified as “near threatened.”
Particularly alarming are the data on corals and amphibians, with 44% and 41% of species at risk respectively. Additionally, 61% of the planet’s birds show population declines, especially in Madagascar, West Africa and Central America, where tropical deforestation continues to destroy vital habitats.
The Abu Dhabi congress relaunched a strong message: the regeneration of ecosystems is the key to guaranteeing a shared future between humanity and nature. As the UN Convention against Desertification reminds us, over 60% of rivers have been diverted by human infrastructure and up to 40% of land is now degraded. Saving the green turtle is therefore much more than an ecological victory: it is proof that restoring nature means restoring ourselves.
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