Green turtles jump to least concern

Green turtles have moved from endangered to least concern in global conservation rankings despite widespread wildlife decline.

“Never in my mind (did I think) that one day turtles can be 'least concern'. I cried... I said I’ve done my part”

WWF report shows 73% wildlife decline

The WWF's Living Planet Report found a 73-per cent decline in average wildlife population size over 53 years.

Malaysian conservation efforts

Malaysian turtle expert Juanita Joseph has spent years on the frontlines, carrying out cutting-edge genetic research and convincing her father to stop eating turtle eggs.

Turtle nesting triples since 1970s

Green turtle nesting at Sabah state’s Turtle Islands has tripled since the 1970s to over 20,000 nests annually.

Sitti Rasah's conservation work

Sitti Rasah Abdul, 50, from a fishing community on Malaysia’s Omadal island, has relocated turtle eggs since 2012 with a women’s cooperative.

Mataking Reef Resort conservation

Mataking Reef Resort owner Sophia Sie has 10 per cent of staff working on turtle conservation since 2006, when they collected 600 eggs.

Turtle DNA database

WWF-Malaysia created the world’s first global turtle DNA database, Shellbank, using samples from turtle tissue and shells.

Hatchling survival odds

Just one in 1,000 green turtle hatchlings survive to sexual maturity at 20 years old.

Long-term conservation needed

WWF-Malaysia marine species strategy manager Gavin Jolis says conservation requires long-term projects, not short-term fixes.

“We should not look at just a short-term project, it’s a long-term project.”

Challenges remain

Green turtles face threats from poaching, climate change, development, and pollution at nesting beaches and feeding grounds.