Critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle greets scuba divers on the reef in Mexico

Hawksbill turtles are the most beautiful of all the sea turtles. For this reason, they are critically endangered. Harvested for decades for their ornate shell patterns, they were killed to make jewelry, brushes, trinket boxes, and buttons. Hunted to near extinction, their numbers dwindled to the point that it was feared they would not recover. Through great efforts at conservation, their numbers are on the rise again. Although they are still critically endangered, it appears that their populations will recover from the damage done.
This scuba family appreciates the wonders of the ocean and they have great appreciation for the animals that live there. On an adventure beneath the waves, they descended to the sand at 50 feet off the coast in Mexico. They were greeted by a friendly and curious hawksbill that came right to them from the depths. It gracefully glided past the group, carefully inspecting each one casually. Moments like these are unforgettable. To look such a beautiful animal in the eye invokes a sense of awe and wonder.