FAQS

• Why are sea turtles at risk of extinction?
  Accidental capture in fishing gear, pollution, habitat loss, coastal development and climate change all pose significant threats to sea turtles. Among the most critical threats are unsustainable take and the ​illegal trade of turtles for their meat, eggs and shells. Hatchlings have also been known to be sold on the black market as aquarium pets.

  
  

  To stop their populations from being decimated, we must dismantle the illicit trade now, which starts by identifying the populations most vulnerable to poaching.
• Are there sea turtles in Singapore?
  Hawksbill turtles, which are Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, have been regularly sighted along the Singapore Strait. Females have also been spotted coming ashore to lay eggs. 

  
  

  Besides Hawksbills, Endangered Green turtles are also known to nest in Singapore beaches. This is why we need to protect local turtle populations before it’s too late.
• Don’t sea turtles only live in the sea?
  While sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean, adult females come ashore to lay their eggs. After emerging from their nest, hatchlings crawl down the beach and toward the water, where they will inhabit diverse habitats throughout their lifetime – from reefs to seagrass meadows to the open ocean. In order to conserve sea turtles, we must protect both coastal and ocean ecosystems.
• What is ShellBank?
  Shellbank is a database for sea turtle DNA that will allow law enforcement, researchers and wildlife managers to identify poaching hotspots and trace the sea turtle trade from sale to source. This offers a game-changing approach to address the drastic decline in sea turtle populations and will help us understand and safeguard at-risk populations before it is too late.
• How does Shellbank help?
  One of the greatest challenges to tackling the illegal trade and take of turtles is the inability to identify which populations were being targeted, and which were most at risk.

  
  

  Because turtles migrate far across the oceans, studying them is no easy feat. But one clue has helped scientists trace turtles back to their birth place: their DNA. Passed down from mothers to their offspring, each turtle carries a distinct genetic signature similar to those coming from the same nesting population and region.

  
  

  ShellBank uses DNA and forensic analysis to form a comprehensive dataset which maps out populations and places where sea turtles nest and roam, as well as where they’re sold and likely poached. This enables better understanding and protection of the species before they get poached.
• What should I do if I see a sea turtle on the beach?
  If you see a nesting turtle, keep your distance from the turtle and the eggs, as touching the turtle may scare or provoke it. Also keep clear of tracks left by the turtle because researchers use the tracks to identify the species of the turtle and to locate the nest.

  
  

  Refrain from shining lights or use flash photography. Light and noise may scare the turtle, and cause it to leave without laying any eggs. Handling the eggs may damage them, or introduce bacteria into the nest as well.
• What should I do if I encounter a sea turtle product being sold?
  The convenience and relative anonymity of online marketplaces has added more complexity to the sea turtle trade. Lack of awareness of turtle trade also perpetuates the trade as consumers might have purchased turtle products unknowingly. You can help report turtle products for sale online through our Cyber Spotter website.

  
  

  To help reduce the trade of sea turtle products online, WWF, in partnership with other wildlife experts such as TRAFFIC and IFAW, is part of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online. This Coalition brings together nearly 50 global tech companies such as Lazada and Carousell, as an industry-wide approach to reduce wildlife trafficking online. WWF will review the listings and work with members of the Coalition to remove the content from their platforms and report suspicious listings to authorities.
• Is my donation tax deductible?
  Donations to the Turtle Adoption program are eligible for tax deduction* as it covers our work on tackling the illegal wildlife trade in Singapore. If you wish to claim your tax deduction, please email us at member@wwf.sg with your donation details.

  
  

  *Tax deduction rules are subject to changes and issuance of tax deduction receipts will follow the latest tax policies published by IRAS.