Mysterious tumors in sea turtles baffle scientists

Sea turtles are being affected by a tumor called fibropapillomatosis (FP), with an alarming increase in incidence throughout our oceans. Turtles in warmer waters are affected more frequently. The tumor is essentially a form of cancer and it has been much more prevalent since 2006. Affecting several species of sea turtle, this disease has become a source of great concern to biologists, yet they have not discovered the cause of the increase or the reason for it spreading. Research and conservation are crucial before we lose these species completely.