A "talking" turtle finishes an east coast tour in Dublin today as part of events to mark World Ocean Day this week.
The 7½ft fibreglass leatherback turtle, owned by the Sea Turtle Trust in Northern Ireland, aims to highlight the threats posed to the species by coastal pollution, demands for their meat and shells, and by the international pet trade.
During its tour it is raising funds for conservation projects in the turtle's nesting grounds in Africa.
Dr Karl Partridge, ecologist and chair of the Sea Turtle Trust, initiated the voluntary organisation in Crossgar, Co Down, two years ago.
"I saw turtles nesting in Malaysia two years ago, and now that population is extinct."
The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria is also running a campaign here to focus attention on the issue.
Its ShellShock campaign has been working with Dublin Zoo and Fota in Ireland, and plans a tour of Irish aquaria this month.
The Sea Turtle Trust display is at St Stephen's Green Centre, Dublin, during business hours today.
