Sea life enchants, but faces human threats

Loggerhead turtles' life cycle is threatened by humans

In this story: United Nations marks half century of Geneva Conventions Helping Zambia cope with crowds of refugees Turkey earthquake prompts aid, assistance from abroad Thais turn to traditional cures, Swiss man puts twist on tradition RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Kevin Grieves
CNN World Report

The teeming, colorful world underneath the surface of the oceans fascinates young and old alike. But after surviving unscathed in the seas for millions of years, many sea creatures are suffering the ill effects of human activity. In certain cases, the creatures are being driven to the brink of extinction by threats such as pollution, commercial fishing, and tourism development, which can harm mature animals and destroy breeding grounds.

Several CNN World Report contributors examined marine ecology and looked at efforts to understand, preserve and enjoy the diversity of sea life.

One of the world's oldest living creatures is the sea turtle. The loggerhead species (caretta-caretta) is commonly found in the Mediterranean Sea, where it has thrived for ages. But researchers say the turtles are falling prey to heavy fishing activity in the Mediterranean, with an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 of the amphibians caught in fishing nets annually.

Greece's ERT provided viewers with some insight into the life cycle of loggerhead turtles, beginning at their nesting grounds on the sandy beaches of Greece's many islands and inlets. After laying her eggs, the mother turtle leaves her young hatchlings to fend for themselves on their long trek to the safety of the water, past predators such as weasels, foxes, rats and dogs. Only a small fraction of the turtles make it to the safety of the sea.

But the ocean offers no protection from human threats, and Greece's loggerhead turtles face a dim future. "There is a real danger that the caretta-caretta may become the lost caretta-caretta," says ERT's Elisabeth Filippoulis.

CNN World Report viewers saw that human activity such as tourism, when conducted responsibly, can be compatible with the surrounding ecology. ABS-CBN of the Philippines reported on the success of so-called "ecotourism" in the area around El Nido, on the northeastern tip of Palawan Island.

Contributor station Bahamas Broadcasting Corp. took its cameras along with an underwater tour group to a spot called "shark alley." The highlight: An up-close encounter with a pack of hungry sharks.

None of the tourists was in danger, as the encounter was closely controlled by dive experts.

If that still sounds a bit too close for comfort, a new Spanish aquarium provides a glimpse of marine life from behind a reassuring pane of glass. Spain's TV Galicia transported viewers to the aquarium in La Coruna, where a wide variety of marine species from the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay are on display.

United Nations marks half century of Geneva Conventions

The devastation and chaotic conditions following the end of World War II provided fertile ground for a new agreement to take root: An agreement among nations to protect prisoners of war, as well as guard against abuses of civilians and the sick and wounded during wartime. The Geneva Conventions ban such activities as torture, execution, forced displacement and deliberate targeting of civilian buildings and facilities. The agreement has been signed by 188 countries, but enforcement of the treaty's provisions has been problematic.

United Nations Television (UNTV) covered the 50-year commemoration of the Geneva Conventions signing for CNN World Report. The remembrance was not entirely celebratory, however, as UN and International Red Cross officials acknowledged that there is more work to be done in helping victims of warfare around the world. "Although the Geneva Conventions have alleviated much suffering, they're still often flagrantly violated, causing untold misery," says UNTV reporter Jennifer Pagonis.

Helping Zambia cope with crowds of refugees

Refugees endure squalor at Zambia's Maheba camp

Africa is straining under the pressure of more than 3 million refugees displaced from African countries. The international community is reaching out to help ease that humanitarian strain: The southern African nation of Zambia is currently host to thousands of refugees from neighboring countries racked by armed conflict, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Rwanda. And the refugees' numbers are steadily growing, leading to a potential humanitarian crisis in Zambia.

Zambia National Broadcasting Corp. (ZNBC) updated viewers on the dire straits in which the refugees find themselves. In the refugee camps, the supply of drinking water is imperiled, and medicines are dwindling. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who oversees the camp, has issued an urgent appeal for help.

ZNBC reporter Elitas Chirwa said Japan took a lead in responding to that call, and the Japanese ambassador to Zambia offered financial and material assistance from his country. But Chirwa noted that Africa's refugee problems are too great for one country to tackle alone.

Turkey earthquake prompts aid, assistance from abroad

Israeli soldiers pause to remember earthquake victims

Many countries are pitching in to assist Turkey in the aftermath of its devastating earthquake. The United States, Pakistan, and Israel are among those providing aid. The United States announced it is dispatching ships from the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet to the shores of Turkey -- ships that are equipped to produce large quantities of drinking water. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif surveyed the earthquake damage and assured Turks that Pakistan "... would do whatever we can to help rehabilitate this area and its people."

CNN World Report contributor IBA of Israel provided coverage of the earthquake rescue efforts of a specialized Israeli team. The members of the Israeli Defense Force's Home Command Search and Rescue Team spent a full week on the scene in some of Turkey's hardest-hit areas. They are credited with saving the lives of 12 people buried in the rubble. Before returning to Israel, the IDF soldiers paused and joined their Turkish counterparts to remember the many who perished in the earthquake. IBA showed viewers the flags of both nations hoisted on top of a crane that had been used for clearing rubble.

Thais turn to traditional cures, Swiss man puts twist on tradition

Thai shoppers inspect traditional remedies

The development of medical technology is opening the doors to new solutions for health problems, but many people around the world are rediscovering the healing power of some decidedly low-tech medicines. In Thailand, these traditional medicines are seeing a surge in popularity.

Thailand's Army TV Channel 5 explained that Thai public health officials are embarking on a campaign to introduce the Thai public, especially the elderly, to the benefits of alternative medicine. The Thai government is supporting research into traditional medicines and has promised to regulate the products.

Army TV Channel 5 reporter Yongyuth Maiyalarp underlined the benefits of medical treatments rooted deep in Thai history: "... One should not ignore our original culture and traditional value, and our way of living. This will form a basis for a more fulfilled future ... which enables man to live a happy, long and disease-free life."

A Swiss man has discovered a way to improve on one of Switzerland's traditions. Michael Morris of Swiss TV-SRI reports on the "pocket alphorn."

VIDEO
Swiss TV-SRI's Michael Morris reports on a more portable version of the traditional instrument.
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