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Turtle Power

Green sea turtles were recently removed from the worldwide endangered species list.

April 13, 2026
By Ellen Song

As You Read, Think About: What are some of the dangers that green sea turtles face?

It’s late at night. A female green sea turtle slowly comes out of the ocean. She picks a spot on the sandy beach and uses her back flippers to dig a nest. There, she’ll lay 100 eggs or more. About two months later, hatchlings will break out of the shells and crawl to the sea. 

These turtles may have a better chance of surviving than their ancestors did. Green sea turtles have faced many threats. In 1982, they were listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). That organization tracks the risk of extinction for animals and plants worldwide. 

But thanks to efforts to protect green sea turtles, their global population has increased. A recent IUCN report now lists them as a “species of least concern” for dying out. 

“Conservation works if you have people in the right places doing the right things together,” says scientist Bryan Wallace. He’s one of the authors of the report. 

It’s late at night. A female green sea turtle slowly comes out of the ocean. She picks a spot on the sandy beach. Then she uses her back flippers to dig a nest. There, she’ll lay 100 eggs or more. About two months later, hatchlings will break out of the shells. Then they’ll crawl to the sea.

These babies may have a better chance of living than some of their ancestors did. Green sea turtles have faced many threats. In 1982, they were listed as an endangered species. That was by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN tracks the risk of extinction for animals and plants around the world.

But due to efforts to protect green sea turtles, their numbers have increased. The IUCN recently released a report. It now lists the turtles as a “species of least concern” for dying out. 

“Conservation works if you have people in the right places doing the right things together,” says scientist Bryan Wallace. He’s one of the authors of the report.

What You Need to Know About Endangered Species
Watch a video to learn how animals become endangered.

Trouble for Turtles

Green turtles are one of the largest of the seven species of sea turtles. They live in warm waters near the coastal areas of more than 140 countries. That includes the United States. 

For centuries, green sea turtles were overhunted for their meat and eggs. Both were considered delicacies. And people used turtle shells to make jewelry and other objects. 

Over time, construction along coastlines left the huge reptiles with fewer places to nest. Ocean pollution harmed their habitats. Accidental trapping also depleted their numbers. Turtles sometimes drown after getting caught in nets meant to catch fish.

By the 1970s, green sea turtles had been nearly wiped out around the world. 

There are seven species of sea turtles. Green turtles are one of the largest. They live in warm waters near the coasts of more than 140 countries. That includes the United States.

For centuries, green sea turtles were overhunted. Their meat and eggs were considered delicacies. And people used turtle shells to make jewelry and other objects.

Over time, the huge reptiles had fewer places to nest. That was due to construction along coasts. Ocean pollution also harmed their habitats. And accidental trapping depleted their numbers. Turtles sometimes drown after getting caught in fishing nets. 

By the 1970s, green sea turtles had been nearly wiped out. 

Jeff Rotman/Alamy Stock Photo

A sea turtle is trapped in a net near Nicaragua, a country in Central America.

A Team Effort

But the turtles have been slowly making a comeback. Many countries, including the U.S., have passed laws that ban the hunting of green turtles. And on beaches around the world, people protect turtle nests from danger. For example, Wallace and his team sometimes scoop up eggs as soon as they’re laid. The team moves them to a safer spot. 

Scientists have also worked with fishers to develop gear that’s safer for sea turtles. Some large fishing boats now have nets with “trap doors.” These allow turtles to escape if they’re accidentally caught. 

The global population of green turtles has increased by almost 30 percent since the 1970s. That’s according to the recent IUCN report.

But the turtles have been slowly making a comeback. Many countries have banned the hunting of green turtles. The U.S. is one of them. And on beaches worldwide, people protect turtle nests from harm. For example, Wallace and his team sometimes scoop up eggs as soon as a turtle lays them. The team moves them to a safer spot.

Scientists have also worked with fishers. Together they’ve created gear that’s safer for sea turtles. Some large fishing boats now have nets with “trap doors.” These allow turtles to escape if they’re caught by mistake.

Since the 1970s, the global population of green turtles has increased by almost 30 percent. That’s according to the recent IUCN report.

Under Protection

Although green turtles are no longer at risk of extinction, their population is much lower than it once was. In fact, the animals are still considered endangered in the U.S. Other species of sea turtles around the world are still endangered too. 

Wallace is hopeful that conservation efforts can help all sea turtles. 

“We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and do more of it,” says Wallace. 

Green turtles are no longer at risk of extinction. But their population is much lower than it once was. In fact, they are still considered endangered in the U.S. Around the world, other species of sea turtles are still endangered too.

Wallace hopes conservation efforts can help all sea turtles.

“We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and do more of it,” says Wallace.

Get to Know Green Sea Turtles

  • Green sea turtle eggs are about the size of Ping-Pong balls. Hatchlings weigh less than 1 ounce and are about 2 inches long.
  • Sea turtles can’t breathe underwater. But they can hold their breath for hours at a time.
  • Green sea turtles get their name from the color of their fat, not their shells. Their shells can be brownish, olive, or gray.
  • Adults can grow to be 4 feet long and weigh more than 400 pounds. They’re mainly herbivores, eating seagrass and other plants. 
  • Green sea turtle eggs are about the size of Ping-Pong balls. Hatchlings weigh less than 1 ounce and are about 2 inches long.
  • Sea turtles can’t breathe underwater. But they can hold their breath for hours at a time.
  • Green sea turtles get their name from the color of their fat, not their shells. Their shells can be brownish, olive, or gray.
  • Adults can grow to be 4 feet long and weigh more than 400 pounds. They’re mainly herbivores, eating seagrass and other plants. 

Shutterstock.com

1. Why were green sea turtles hunted for several centuries?

2. What is the meaning of depleted as it is used in the article? What details in the text help provide clues to this meaning?

3. What is the main idea of the section “Under Protection”?

1. Why were green sea turtles hunted for several centuries?

2. What is the meaning of depleted as it is used in the article? What details in the text help provide clues to this meaning?

3. What is the main idea of the section “Under Protection”?

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