Scientists say there has been a major drop in the population of leatherback sea turtles (乌龟) off the U.S. West Coast.

One recent study found a 5.6 percent yearly decrease in the population. Leatherbacks are massive sea turtles dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. The animals can grow up to 1.5 meters in length and weigh as much as 680 kilograms.

The leatherback sea turtles found along the U.S. Pacific Coast are actually born thousands of kilometers away, on beaches in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. The animals migrate (迁徙) 11,000 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean to mainly feed on jellyfish in waters off the U.S. West Coast. Then, they swim back.

Scott Benson is an ecologist with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. “There are birds that go farther, but they fly. There’s a whale shark that might swim a little further, but it doesn’t have to come up for air,” he said.

Scientists say that if nothing changes, the leatherbacks could completely disappear from the U.S. West Coast within 30 years. The population drops are mainly blamed on international fishing activities, the destruction (破坏) of nesting grounds and climate change.

The animals can be killed when they get trapped in fishing equipment. Scientists say the population is also harmed because a lot of turtle eggs are removed from beaches.

Researchers say that while all the world’s leatherbacks are under pressure, the group that migrates for months across the Pacific faces the greatest threats.

NOAA launched an aggressive plan to save leatherbacks in 2015 and is set to release a new action plan this month. The plan is meant to persuade governments and international organizations to join efforts to save the turtles.

Many guests have had the pleasure of observing the magnificent cheetahs (猎豹) that find shelter on the Tswalu Private Reserve, but they might not be aware of the work to make these wild cats feel comfortable in the presence of humans. As a conservation photographer, I spent a day with conservator Clement Motau to understand what it takes to habituate cheetahs.

Habituating wildlife is an on-going process —slowly getting wild animals used to the presence of vehicles and people. Animals like cheetahs receive regular visits from the wildlife conservation team. That way they learn that in this privately protected area, humans pose no threat to.

Clement, now 29 years old, spent his early childhood in Middelburg, but he would go to the rural area every chance he got, including most school holidays. “I enjoyed climbing mountains and being outdoors. I always knew I wanted to work with wild animals.” He decided to study nature conservation rather than become a tour guide because “dealing with people all the time is not my strongest point.” After three years of studies, he came to Tswalu in 2016 and was offered a position on the conservation team. Though one day rarely looks the same as another, with tasks ranging from collaring wild dogs to mending fences, the chance to spend time with cheetahs is an experience he particularly enjoys.

An hour after we first spotted Artemis, Clement's favorite cheetah, she is still on the move, clearly looking for a meal. She is a beautiful animal, and I am in no hurry to leave. Though she seems unbothered by our presence, we don't want to negatively impact her chances of feeding. Wildlife tourism is an essential conservation tool, both to raise awareness and to pay for all the costs. But the wellbeing of the animals always comes first. “She is very obliging with us today,” he says. “So relaxed. The guides and our guests will love her. She'll be a future star.”

China has made great improvements in environmental protection during the past 70 years. 【小题1】 Each species (物种) on Earth has a role to play in the ecosystem.

In recent decades, a series of wildlife-protection movements have been carried out by the central government. 【小题2】 The giant panda and the crested ibis are among these success stories.

The giant panda used to have a population of 1,114 in the 1970s. It now totals 1,864 thanks to 52 protection areas. 【小题3】 By the end of last year, seven of the nine pandas released had survived in the wild. 【小题4】 In 1981, only seven crested ibises were found in Yang County, Shaanxi Province.Since then, breeding programs have helped the population reach 2,000. China has even sent crested ibises to Japan and South Korea in recent years to help with the species’ survival.

【小题5】 Key projects will be continually carried out to improve protection, including making the lists of wild animals and plants under state protection, and fighting against illegal wildlife trade.