Green sea turtles released back into wild after huge beach clean-up
Five endangered green sea turtles have been released back into the sea in Montevideo - but it took 800 volunteers to clear half a tonne of beach rubbish before it happened.
The turtles had been rehabilitated by a Uruguayan conservation group called Karumbé.
According to the Daily Mail, Luna, Lucas, Aletea (Flaps), Ramona and Flora were collected along the Uruguayan coast in June after suffering with "thermal shock".
The paper adds that while many migrate during winter months, some attempt to cling to beaches to stay warm, which is when Karumbé steps into help them.
Hundreds of people cheered on as the turtles were released back into the wild.
Karumbe posted pictures and video of the release on its facebook page.
The green sea turtle is also known as a black sea turtle, and a Pacific green turtle. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Like other sea turtles, green sea turtles migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. Many islands worldwide are known as Turtle Island due to green sea turtles nesting on their beaches. Females crawl out on beaches, dig nests and lay eggs during the night. Later, hatchlings emerge and scramble into the water. Those that reach maturity may live to eighty years in the wild.
However, the species is listed as endangered and is protected from exploitation in most countries. It is illegal to collect, harm or kill them.
In addition, many countries have laws and ordinances to protect nesting areas. However, turtles are still in danger due to human activity. In some countries, turtles and their eggs are hunted for food. Pollution indirectly harms turtles at both population and individual scales, while many turtles die caught in fishing nets.
Also, real estate development often causes habitat loss by eliminating nesting beaches.
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