In Sanibel FL, the Green Sea Turtles in Southwest Florida program is a success!
For its first year, the Green Sea Turtles in Southwest Florida program has been a big success with a total of 202 sea turtles -consisting of 135 individuals, some of whom have returned more than once- and 20 successful nests! Funding for 8 satellite trackers has led to 7 turtles receiving them so far, with the goal in mind of tracking post-nesting movements in order to determine areas requiring more protection. The program has partnered with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and includes dedicated individuals like Dave Addison, Kelly Sloan, Mark Banks, and Andrew Glinksy. Hopefully the numbers continue to climb!
From the article: “The community can follow the green sea turtles that have been tagged by visiting www.movebank.org. Click on tracking data map and search for Green Sea Turtles in Southwest Florida.”
ALSO:
FOUND: lost Hermann’s tortoise in England, but owner not located- details in miscellany section!
Plus, check out two videos, one of a double sea turtle release (starts at 1:24), and one of a hatchling pancake tortoise, both in the conservation section.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
USA: Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s only licensed biologist leaves after county cuts sea turtle funding
USA: “Chum” (Lepidochelys kempii) and “Marlin” (Caretta caretta) released in NC (Video)
England: West Midland Safari Park hatches first pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) (Video)
Crime & Punishment
USA: (GRAPHIC details) Man Accused Of Killing, Grilling Elk Grove Family�s Pet Turtle
Miscellany
Solomon Islands: “Tagging turtles in Tetepare” is an artful story
England: FOUND: Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) at Walton on Thames golf course, owner yet to be located
Did You Know…
According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 sea turtle eggs will make it to adulthood due to threats that begin in the nest. Predators that may eat the eggs, obstacles blocking hatchlings on their way to the ocean, more predators in the open ocean, pollution, and human interference- all of these factors mean that not only is it important to get an egg count during nesting seasons but also to know the areas that adult sea turtles frequent so that they can be protected until they nest again. Check out more info!
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Photo from Alexis Horn.
