Slow and steady may win the proverbial race, but in Hong Kong the turtle is in critical danger of nearing the finish line all too soon.
The loggerhead and green turtles, native to Hong Kong's waters, have become endangered thanks to overhunting, egg collection and destruction of their habitat.
Does that turn you off your ? Plastron - the flat underside of a turtle's shell - in powdered form, is the primary ingredient in this popular Chinese jelly, served as both a dessert and medicine.
Got a bright idea to protect our hard-shelled friends?
A fund launched by Hong Kong-based backpack maker Pacsafe will finance year-long projects that protect any turtle on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. This includes the loggerhead and green turtles, as well as several others in the region, such as the hawksbill and the Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles.
Applications for the US$30,000 on offer are open to projects worldwide, but priority will be given to those in the Asia-Pacific region. Extra consideration will be given to registered charities and groups that can demonstrate a strong social media presence - lucky Hongkongers are addicted to Facebook!
