Success! No More Sea Turtles Will Be Burned in Gulf

As the devastating reports of the BP oil spill and its harmful effects continue, a little good news reinforces some hope for a better future. Thanks to a lawsuit filed by The Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Institute – along with petitions and letters from the public — BP and the U.S. Coast Guard have agreed to stop allowing endangered sea turtles to be burned alive during surface-oil cleanup operations.

Concern was sparked when news spread that BP was using controlled fires as a method to clean up the oil via dragging together fire-resistant booms and then lighting the enclosed “burn box” on fire. It has been reported that as of July 01, 594 stranded sea turtles had been collected in the Gulf area since the oil spill. Of those, 441 were already dead when they were found.

The Care2 community was quick to react to the news — with over 12,000 signatures on two petitions demanding BP to stop the torching of sea turtles in the Gulf. A big thank you to all who continue to make efforts to help sea turtles and other victims of the BP oil tragedy. This burning ban will help prevent even more unnecessary deaths.

But it is important to remember that sea turtles are endangered and still need your help. Remember to sign these petitions to continue protecting threatened sea turtles around the world:

• President Obama - Sea Turtles Need Our Help
• Save the Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Also, stay up to date with the latest Care2 coverage of the BP oil spill.

Read more: environment & wildlife, sea turtles, success story, bp oil spill