Video: The Audubon video series has a good one, narrated by Jane Alexander, called Sea Turtles—Ancient Nomads. It includes an overview of endangered species in general, footage of all species of sea turtles including the Pacific ridley featured in the novel, even secret camera footage from the slaughterhouse I fictionalized in the story. You could tell your students that as a result of the efforts of conservationists inside and outside of Mexico, these slaughterhouses have since been shut down. However, black market activity in sea turtle products, development along nesting beaches, and deaths caused by commercial fishing continue to pose big threats to the turtles.

ACTIVITIES:

Investigate TEDS, the turtle excluder devices now required of U.S. shrimpers. Do they work? Are the affected sea turtles recovering?