Scientists estimate that there are approximately 6.5 million sea turtles left in the wild globally, although this number varies significantly by species and is difficult to calculate precisely

. Here are some species-specific estimates to illustrate the variation:

• Hawksbill turtles: between 25,000 to 83,000 individuals, with some estimates as low as 57,000

• Kemp’s ridley turtles: critically endangered, with estimates ranging from about 5,000 to 10,000 individuals remaining

• Olive Ridley turtles: the most numerous, with populations around 800,000 to nearly 1 million

• Green sea turtles: around 80,000 to 90,000 individuals

• Loggerhead turtles: roughly 50,000 individuals

• Leatherback turtles: about 26,000 to 43,000 nesting females, with total population estimates around 35,000

• Flatback turtles: around 21,000 individuals

Overall, while the total number of sea turtles is estimated in the millions, many species are endangered or critically endangered, and populations have declined drastically from historical levels due to threats like habitat loss, fishing bycatch, and climate change

. Conservation efforts have shown some positive trends in nesting numbers in certain regions, but the survival of many species remains precarious