Scientists have some good news about sea turtles! A recent survey showed that many sea turtle populations around the world are starting to recover. This survey was released by the Oceanic Society and looked at 48 different groups of sea turtles. The researchers studied why some turtles are thriving while others are still in danger.

Stuart Pimm, an ecologist, said, “Many of the turtle populations have come back, though some haven’t.” He believes that the story of sea turtles is a great success in conservation, which means protecting animals and their habitats.

The survey found that in more than half of the places studied, the threats to sea turtles are getting better. These threats can include hunting, pollution, building along coastlines, and climate change. However, not all turtles are doing well. For example, leatherback turtles, which are one of the largest types of sea turtles, are still considered vulnerable to extinction. This means they are at risk of disappearing forever.

Leatherback turtles are special because they can swim extremely long distances, sometimes traveling up to 3,700 miles! Unfortunately, they also face many dangers in the oceans, and all seven regions where they live have high environmental risks.

On the brighter side, green turtles are showing signs of recovery! They are still labeled as endangered, but researchers noticed that their numbers are increasing in several areas, including parts of Mexico and the United States. Michelle María Early Capistrán, a researcher from Stanford University, mentioned that by stopping commercial hunting of these turtles, their populations are bouncing back.

In the U.S., sea turtles have been protected since 1973, and Mexico has banned turtle captures since 1990. It took some time, but these actions are helping sea turtles thrive again. However, many turtles still die because they accidentally get caught in fishing gear. Scientists are working hard to create new technologies to help protect them.

This important survey is the first update in over ten years and shows that with continued efforts, sea turtles can recover and thrive in our oceans!