SEA SHEPHERD Poachers slaughtered the turtles as they tried to reach their historic nesting beaches

The lumbering sea giants stood no chance as they were slaughtered trying to reach their historic nesting beaches. Patrolling Sea Shepherd volunteers managed to drive the armed poachers away, forcing them to leave behind their machetes and knives as well as a slaughtered green turtle that had suffered a slow and painful death. Later, the chopped off heads of four turtles were found strewn on sand, after being exposed by the receding tide.

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Worst cases of animal cruelty Mon, November 28, 2016 WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: As part of our new 'STOP THE CRUELTY' campaign we take a look at some of the most horrific cases animal cruelty. Play slideshow PA 1 of 32 Handout photo issued by the Orangutan Foundation of Aan, a critically-endangered orangutan who was blinded after being shot more than 100 times with an air rifle. Aan is to undergo an operation that could restore her sight.

SEA SHEPHERD These killings follow two years of slaughter on the French archipelago of Mayotte

These killings follow two years of slaughter on the French archipelago of Mayotte, a beautiful series of islands set in turquoise seas between Madagascar and Mozambique and famed for its barrier reef and wildlife rich lagoons.

We wish to collaborate with all those in Mayotte who want to work to preserve what remains of an invaluable natural heritage Lamya Essemlali – President of Sea Shepherd France

The white sand beaches are also the some of the last precious haunts of endangered green and critically endangered hawksbill turtles. Over the last two years, more than 500 turtles have been poached on Mayotte for their meat, but the island’s marine protection group REMMAT (Réseau Echouage Mahorais de Mammifères Marins et de Tortues Marines) warns this is only an estimate based on traces of bones and body-parts left on the beaches. Protecting these sea giants from illegal harvesting has seen Sea Shepherd launch an operation code-named “Nyamba” – which means turtle in the island language – to keep the poachers at bay this summer.

SEA SHEPHERD The chopped off heads of four turtles were found strewn on sand, after being exposed by the tide

They are already busy on the frontline. Volunteers took a series of graphic images of one turtle drenched in blood after its throat was cut as well as close views of a decapitated turtle’s head after confronting poachers at the weekend. Sea Shepherd officials say the photographs highlight the shortage of any real means to save the protected reptiles and point to the way that the marine park of Saziley, an important turtle nesting site as well as tourism hotspot, is an “unattended place” where poachers jeopardise the critically endangered creatures’ survival.

SEA SHEPHERD Over the last two years, more than 500 turtles have been poached on Mayotte for their meat