Sea turtles aren’t just creatures to “ooh” and “ah” at in the movies or at a wildlife park. They are real animals, some of which need help in order to survive the various hazards of the world. Loggerhead sea turtles have been on the endangered species list for decades, but only now is an effort likely moving forward to protect the dying creatures’ habitats.
Conservation groups have fought for years to get the federal government to demand protection for the turtles’ habitats. Therefore, the groups might actually feel some sense of satisfaction now that the government has put forth proposals to protect the creatures’ habitats within various states, Georgia included.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires that efforts like the one proposed be put in place once an animal has been officially declared to be endangered. The loggerhead sea turtles have been an endangered species since 1978, so legislation requiring the protection of their habitats is long overdue.
This step forward for the sea turtles’ conservation is an example of how perseverance in favor of protecting the environment can pay off. Various environmental lawsuits have led to this most recent development. Advocates for the future of these turtles still note how there are other natural habitats that the country should add to the list of protected areas. Coastal protection, for example, could benefit the turtles’ safety.
There is hope for the future of the environment. Whether the matter is the protection of endangered animals, the prevention of water contamination, the protection of the overall value and purity of a person’s property, etc., an environmental law attorney can help determine how to best approach the sensitive situation.
Source: Center for Biological Diversity, “Proposal Will Protect Loggerhead Sea Turtle Habitat in Coastal Waters Off Six States,” July 17, 2013