The complexity of wildlife values of 31 volunteers at the Caribbean Conservation Corporation at Tortuguero, Costa Rica was explored in a study by Campbell L. & Smith C. (2006). Through interviews, they were able to identify 8 different values that volunteers attach to the turtles. The values are conservation, scientific, aesthetic, humanistic, experiential, intrinsic, existence and spiritual, ranked from the most frequently articulated value expression to the least.

A man observing a green turtle. (Photo by John Cahil Rom from Pexels)

84% of volunteers wanted to help turtles because they are endangered and have a low survival rate, representing the conservation value of turtles to them. These volunteers expressed their disappointment towards the impacts of human activities on turtles and the environment.

“And because they are endangered right now. It’s not like working with animals where there are many, many. There are just a few.”

Scientific value represents the interest and fascination towards the biology and life history of turtles. 61% of volunteers said that they were intrigued by sea turtles’ ancient lineage, delayed sexual development and long-distance migrations, which have not been well studied yet at that time. Sometimes, we are just attracted to what is unknown.

“Just the fact that they’ve been around so much longer than us, and we don’t even know that much about them, it just intrigues me to try to find out more, and to be around when they do find out more.”

Aesthetic value can be expressed in a variety of ways. 55% of volunteers found sea turtles “cute” or were blown away by their beauty and elegance.

“We were just like, ‘Wow, God, you’re so beautiful…’ … and just being in awe of this ancient creature.”

A girl swimming and admiring a turtle in the water. (Photo by Daniel Torobekov from Pexels)

Emotional attachment was often present when either humanistic or experiential values were expressed. 55% and 39% of volunteers reflected humanistic or experiential values respectively. Having a humanistic value for turtles means feeling connected to them and attaching emotions directly to turtles themselves. Experiential value is similar yet distinct where emotions encompassed not only the turtles but also their participation and the environment, having that full experience with the turtles.

“I read about them, and watched documentaries on them. Totally different than coming here and working with them and having them beat you up, and run you over…” – Experiential value

Less than 20% of volunteers expressed their appreciation for turtles independent of  their financial, instrumental and practical value attributed by us humans, representing the intrinsic value of turtles.

“… and saying we value these creatures more for their…ah, more for themselves than for their economic value.”

A portrait of a green turtle. (Photo by Wexor Tmg on Unsplash)

Existence value represented having the interest for turtles despite not having any close interactions with them or never seeing one in person before.

“I didn’t grow up on the California beach or Florida beach where you actually see sea turtles all the time. And maybe that’s why, because they’re kind of fascinating because I don’t have access to them on a regular basis”

Spiritual value is having a spiritual connection with sea turtles, either reflecting a personal human-nature relationship, or one linked to religious beliefs on stewardship over nature.

“I’m really connected with the sea turtles, and I think it was nature that decided that for me… I believe that on a nature level inside of us, we are connected to nature, and it’s all part of a circle. That’s part of life. And a turtle is part of my nature.”

A girl hugging a massive green turtle. (Photo by Saliva Jorge on Wikimedia Commons)

These 8 values identified in the study are just from people who volunteered and contributed to sea turtle conservation. Perhaps non-volunteers would value sea turtles differently. The value you attach to sea turtles would depend on your perception of turtles, which would be shaped by your human environment and culture.

Other humanistic and spiritual values associated with turtles can also come in the form of cultural myths and legends. The sacred Hoàn Kiếm turtle is a symbol of Vietnam’s independence and longevity. This symbol originated from the tale of a giant, golden turtle emerging from the lake to reclaim the magic sword used from the Emperor, who used it to defeat the Ming army. In recent years, there were sightings of giant turtles at Hoàn Kiếm Lake. The last giant turtle sighted was named Cụ Rùa (Great-Grandfather Turtle) and it died, just like the others due to the polluted waters. It was a tragic loss to the Vietnamese, both culturally and environmentally, and the people mourned over the lost lineage of the Hoàn Kiếm turtle.

A statue of the Hoàn Kiếm turtle in a temple in Vietnam. (Photo by Daderot on Wikimedia Commons)

There are also instances when having values for sea turtles does not equate to the desire to conserve them. Their beauty is so captivating that some people would want to preserve them, but only their shells. Some people do not even know that the eye catching product they have purchased is made at the price of a sea turtle’s life. An aesthetic value not to the turtles’ advantage.

Spectacle frame made from the shell of hawksbill turtle. (Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels)

Sea turtles can also be associated with utilitarian value, especially in cultures where the consumption of turtles is a tradition and part of social norms. At the Cayman Islands, sea turtle meat is considered the “national dish” and the turtles are part of the islands’ cultural identity.

Some local communities also rely on the sale of sea turtle eggs to support their livelihoods. Such is the case for some communities living along the coast of East Malaysia.

Even in Singapore, consuming turtle meat is not surprising, although not sea turtles but rather freshwater turtles. Meat from the soft-shell turtle is slowly brewed with Chinese herbs to create the well-known turtle soup delicacy. I remember having it as a child too, and was told to finish every bit of meat and collagen, since the dish was slightly pricey. Perhaps being exposed to turtle soup while growing up has made me desensitised to the fact that soft-shell turtles and sea turtles are both turtles! Why am I so emotionally connected to the ones of the sea and not the one I see in the soup?

A traditional Chinese dish made from soft-shell turtle: Chinese turtle soup. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Values for turtles are complex. Some values would motivate us to protect the turtles, and others would not. We could even have multiple values attached to turtles. Can we be unified in saving the turtles despite our value differences?

Click here to read about how sea turtles changed our perception of plastic pollution in the ocean.