00:00On the shores of Lagos, an endangered sea turtle lies bound by rope, as curious locals gather around.
00:09It's a scene that has become all too familiar along Nigeria's coastline.
00:14These ancient marinas are facing mounting threats from fishing nets and habitat loss,
00:20as well as human consumption and traditional ritual uses.
00:25Fisherman Marufu Yusuf.
00:27When the turtles enter the dry land on the coastline to lay their eggs, we catch them, we take the eggs and kill the turtles and eat them.
00:35For local fish seller, Marufat Hassan, sea turtles represent a valuable commodity worth up to $60 each.
00:44Sometimes the fishermen would catch three or four, and when they come back, we would collect it, cut it into pieces, dry it and take it to the market.
00:52People who love eating it would buy and eat it.
00:54But this turtle story won't end up like many others, as conservationist China Du Mokbo arrived to negotiate with the locals.
01:06Mokbo, who founded the Green Fingers Wildlife Conservative Initiative, transported the exhausted turtle to his sanctuary.
01:14His organization rescued more than 70 sea turtles over the past five years.
01:22The fishing community needs income, he said, adding that there's a delicate balance between conservation and community livelihoods.
01:30The Environmental Group offers net repair kits in exchange for rescued turtles or protected nests.
01:39Plastic pollution, discarded fishing nets and coastal development are also taking a heavy toll on the sea turtles.
01:47With no marine protected areas and shrinking nesting grounds, the coastline has become a trap for the turtles.
01:55At least five endangered or threatened sea turtle species inhabit Nigeria's waters.
02:02Conservationists like Mokbo have called for state protection for these animals.
02:07Nigeria's environmental agency did not respond to requests for comment.
02:12Nigeria's environmental agency did not respond to requests for comment.
02:14Nigeria's environmental agency did not respond to
02:32national anthem, underrepresented national islands.
02:37Nigeria's environmental agency did not respond to an optional resource for時間.
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