Thanks to a concerted effort to clean up the water, sea turtles in Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay are finally getting healthier after years of suffering from a debilitating tumor disease linked to pollution.
Renato Spyrro reports for Reuters.
In short:
- Guanabara Bay’s water quality has improved, leading to healthier sea turtles after years of pollution-related diseases.
- Researchers have linked the fibropapillomatosis tumors in sea turtles to both environmental factors and a virus.
- Conservationists continue to push for stronger protective measures as Brazil is home to five of the seven global sea turtle species.
Key quote:
"It's about analyzing health by collecting blood and tumors from these turtles...seeing their growth over the years and monitoring these animals from one year to the next."
— Kassia Coelho, professor at Federal Fluminense University.
Why this matters:
For the locals who rely on these waters for food and tourism, it's more than just good news for the turtles—it's proof that environmental recovery is possible. The health of these turtles is a reminder that human action can tip the scales, either toward destruction or recovery. Read more: Can marine protected areas reduce marine disease?
