Turtles are threatened because of hunting and loss of habitat. They have been a favourite food for thousands of years, and their population is unable to sustain the present level of hunting. The worst threat comes from the disturbance and destruction of the turtles’ breeding sites. The ideal beaches for turtles to lay their eggs on are also the ideal beaches for holidaymakers. The result is that hotels have been built near these beaches, roads carry cars whose headlights confuse turtles heading for the beach at night, and tourists disturb the turtles as they lay their eggs.
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