The hawksbill turtle, which is in high demand for its brown and yellow shell, accounts for 39 per cent of trafficked sea turtles. Photo: Handout
China the top destination for trafficked sea turtles, study finds
- Scientists say Vietnam is biggest source of poached turtles, while nearly 90 per cent of the marine reptiles end up in China or Japan
- Illegal exploitation has dropped over the past decade, but researcher warns downward trend could reverse if demand remains high
The hawksbill turtle, which is in high demand for its brown and yellow shell, accounts for 39 per cent of trafficked sea turtles. Photo: Handout
