NEW YORK - September 2006 - Dr. Alonso Aguirre, Vice President of Conservation Medicine at Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with a team of leading international scientists, has published an overview of the potential hazards to humans from the consumption of sea turtle meat and eggs. Around the world, many cultures consume sea turtle products, including the meat, organs, blood, and eggs, even though regulatory agencies in most countries prohibit such practice. "This research shows that populations purchasing and consuming sea turtle products are potentially at a high risk of becoming seriously ill, said Aguirre. Sea turtles may be infected with high levels of pathogens, bacteria, biotoxins, parasites and environmental contaminants that when consumed can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and extreme dehydration resulting in hospitalization and possible death."

The black market trade of sea turtle meat and eggs thrives in some countries. Since the consumption and sale of sea turtle meat is illegal in most of the world, safety regulations do not generally exist to monitor unsafe and contaminated sea turtle products. A public awareness campaign is required to deliver this information to public health officials, health care workers and consumers to educate them about the possible health risk. Heavy metals like lead and mercury, and organochlorine compounds were measured in sea turtle samples at levels exceeding international food safety standards.

Research in Southeast Asia shows that fatalities linked to the consumption of toxic sea turtles are highest among children under 12 years of age and breast-fed infants of mothers who consumed the turtles. It is not clear how sea turtles become infected, but it is believed that multiple toxins are concentrated in their flesh from the wild foods they eat, in a process called bioaccumulation, and through continued exposure to pollutants.

Historically, sea turtles served as a valuable food source for human populations worldwide. In Latin America, for example, sea turtle is considered a delicacy that is only served on special occasions. In Mexico, during Lent, many Catholics restrict their consumption of red meat as a religious practice. They often turn to sea turtle meat and eggs as a food source during this time believing that sea turtles fall into the category of fish or seafood. In other regions of the world, eating sea turtles is part of the cultural heritage and tradition. "If we can raise awareness and communicate these health hazards to medical professionals and indigenous people around the world, we will be accomplishing two very important tasks: first, safeguarding human health and secondly, protecting sea turtles that are near extinction or otherwise endangered," said Aguirre.

About Wildlife Trust

Wildlife Trust empowers local conservation scientists worldwide to protect nature and safeguard ecosystem and human health. Wildlife Trust is a conservation science innovator and leverages research expertise through strategic global alliances. Wildlife Trust pioneered the field of Conservation Medicine, a new discipline that addresses the link between ecological disruption of habitats and the effects on wildlife, livestock and human health.

Founded in 1971 by British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, Wildlife Trust has built its reputation on 35 years of global research, education, training and experience. Research and conservation work in the United States include programs in the metropolitan New York area, Florida and along the coast of the Southeastern U.S.

Internationally, Wildlife Trust trains and supports a network of scientists around the world to save endangered species and their habitats and to protect the health of vital ecosystems. Wildlife Trust created the first egalitarian international network of science-based conservation organizations called the Wildlife Trust Alliance and is a founding partner organization of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, a unique think-tank of prestigious academic institutions.

Visit www.wildlifetrust.org to read more.

Media Contact:
Anthony Ramos, Wildlife Trust
Director for Marketing & Communications
ramos@wildlifetrust.org
212/380-4469

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