Leatherback turtles occur in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans and migrate among all three oceans.In 1980, there were 115,000 nesting females globally; by 2015, that number had dropped to between 26,000 and 43,000.This decline resulted from poaching for eggs and meat, destruction of nesting sites, accidental catches by fishermen, disorientation of nestlings due to artificial lighting from coastal developments, and more.What does this information suggest about the future of leatherback turtles?

Question

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The drastic decline in the number of nesting females in the last few decades suggests that the leatherback turtle population is at risk of going extinct if current trends continue. The various factors contributing to the decline are widespread, affecting populations in different parts of the world. Therefore, leatherback turtles are endangered worldwide, and urgent conservation measures are necessary to prevent their extinction. Choices A, B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the gravity of the situation and underestimate the impact of human activities on the species.

Leatherback Turtles Occur in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans