My life with sea turtles by Christine Figgener

In 2015, a team of researchers carefully removed a plastic straw from a sea turtle’s nostril off the coast of Costa Rica. The disturbing incident, which was captured on video, went viral, leading to corporate straw bans around the world. In this evocative book, reminiscent of Jane Goodall’s memoir In the Shadow of Man, the marine biologist behind the camera, Christine Figgener, recounts her own life spent studying and protecting sea turtles.

From the time she was a young girl, Figgener was determined to become a biologist, and study the marvels of the marine world. In My Life With Sea Turtles, she shares how she went from a small, gray town on the edge of industry to the lush coastline of Costa Rica, where she fell in love with the local environment and its famous residents: the sea turtles.

Figgener describes patrolling the beach at night, swimming with turtles in the open ocean, watching tiny turtles emerge from sandy nests, and risking her life during tropical storms. We learn about her experience as a woman in conservation, a male dominated space where she struggles to be taken seriously. Through discovering the fascinating science of sea turtles and the threats they face today, readers will be inspired to live their own lives differently to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures.

There are books I wish they would never end. The book "My life with sea turtles" by Christine Figgener is one of these books. I was excited to read every word by the author. The book is principally about sea turtles and the life of the author. Why did Christine Figgener travel as a student to the sea turtles in Costa Rica? Why do sea turtles in Costa Rica and other places need help during the breeding season? And which physical challenges do people encounter when working with sea turtles?

Christine Figgener wrote in her book elaborately about her commitment for the sea turtles. While reading the book, I was asking myself several times, if I would be able to do such a physical demanding job? Sleep deficit, heat, and hard physical work. I take my hat off to everyone working with sea turtles!

I was especially impressed by the authors determination and how purposefully she put her projects into action. She cared a lot for the sea turtles and did everything she could for them.

However, for me it was not only a book about sea turtles. I could have read Christine Figgeners words forever. She also wrote about topics, which not directly had to do with sea turtles, but which had my mind already kept busy (but the main topic were still the sea turtles!).

The role of women. Their independence. Feminism. Or having a dream and working hard to realize it. What is success in life? Is it about money and career? Another topic was voluntourism.

Christine Figgener has done everything right as a biologist. I can perceive so much passion for her work and the sea turtles. Just wonderful! She has an impressive path and I am glad that I have found and read this book.

By the way, Christine Figgener became famous for a video in which she and her team removed a straw from the nose of a sea turtle. Be prepared. The video is hard to digest. After that video she used the attention to raise awareness about the threats sea turtles are exposed to, including plastic pollution. If you want to support the sea turtles in Costa Rica, consider to check the websites ProMar or Coasts.

Finally, I just want to say that it is a very important book and I hope that many people will read it.

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