Book Review - Turtles of the World - Princeton University Press

"“Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature, unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping.”

Hubert Reeves

    The introduction to the book sets the stage with a gloomy backdrop, "More than half the world's turtles require some form of conservation action to protect them - the proportion of turtles in trouble eclipses virtually all other major invertebrate groups except primates. They survived the extinction of dinosaurs, "drifting" continents and numerous ice ages punctuated by rising sea levels. Whether they will survive humans remains to be seen."

 It's a sombre statement, isn't it? Sadly, it applies to many other organisms too. Degraded habitat for turtles is equally catastrophic for the other creatures that share their habitat.

     The anatomy and physiology of turtles renders them especially susceptible to environmental irresponsibility, and over-exploitation by humans is common in many parts of the world.

     This book is, therefore, both a wonderful guide to the turtles of the world, gloriously illustrated, yet at the same time almost certainly a requiem for some species already living on the brink of extinction.

     The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is one of the most colourful of all turtles, yet it is endangered wherever it occurs.  It is relentlessly hunted for its carapace to make trinkets and jewelry.

    What is wrong with us? Are we really willing to drive a creature to extinction for bling? The answer appears to be yes.

     In numerous jurisdictions around the world there are strong laws to protect turtles, but enforcement seldom accompanies legislation, and poaching and black market transactions occur in many areas, frequently with complicit officials who turn a blind eye to the activity and/or profit from it. 

     Many species are removed from the wild for the pet trade, with dire consequences for local populations. Furthermore, when pet owners become tired of them they are often released into local waterways, where native species are out-competed and the possibility of diseases being introduced into aquatic systems is always a threat.

     It is probably safe to conclude that there is not a person on earth who is not aware of the debased state of the oceans due to plastic pollution. Floating plastic bags are but one of the problems we have created, and they are a particular threat to Leatherback Sea Turtles who mistake them for jellyfish, the mainstay of their diet, and ingest them. There have been lots of platitudes about banning single-use plastics, but little action has resulted, and consumers seem unwilling to abandon bad habits.

     I cannot heap too much praise on this book. It brings turtles to us so vividly and in such a compelling manner, but it has been a difficult book to review. One is confronted with the calamitous probability that some of these exquisite creatures are facing imminent extinction, with little will to save them. For several species, the book will soon serve to remind us of what we once had, and squandered, and let slip away into the abyss of extinction. And we did nothing.

     How utterly, utterly sad.

Turtles of the World, A Guide to Every Family

Authors: Jeffrey E. Lovich, Whit Gibbons

Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN 9780691223223

240 pages - 250+ colour photographs

6 3/4 x 9 3/8 inches (16.875 x 23.44 cm)

Publication date: 7 December 2021