Underwater rare encounter with Critically Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - stock photo

This rare encounter with a Critically Endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), was captured whilst scuba diving at Koh Rok islands in the Andaman Sea, Krabi, Thailand. Sea Turtles are reef dwelling creatures who feed mainly on jellyfish and coral. The Hawksbill Turtle, unlike other sea Turtles, feeds predominantly on sponge corals. Making it a crucial part of the Coral Reef Ecosystem. Hawksbills are perhaps the most endangered of all sea Turtles. Being classed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list, due to being hunted for their meat and shell. There are estimated to be only 15,000 pairs left in the wild. This image shows their primal instinctive behaviour as it forages for food on the coral reef. Taken on Sony mirrorless camera with underwater housing and Inon Z330 strobe.