The Sea Turtle Conservancy stages an annual race they call the Tour de Turtles. No hares allowed! While the race is fun to keep up with, it's a valid scientific survey of sea turtle migration. Turtles are outfitted with satellite trackers that allow marine biologists to study their movements, speed, and destination. Their routes will be studied afterward to identify turtle hazards. Which turtle will travel the furthest over a period of three months? The race is divided into two divisions, one for leatherback turtles, which began on July 15, and another for hard back, or chelonian turtles. That one will begin on August first.
One of the chelonian turtles in the running this year is named Tortie. Tortie is a juvenile who suffers from fibropapillomatosis, a disease that causes fibrous tumors to grow. Veterinarians removed multiple tumors from Tortie last December at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida. After months of care, Tortie appears to be healthy, and was released into the ocean last Friday. He's not really gone, however, as his satellite tracker is fully functional. The other chelonians are named Megan, Timmy, and Esther.
Keep up with the progress of the nine leatherback competitors and the four chelonian turtles at the race website. -via Fark
(Image credit: The Turtle Hospital)
#turtle #turtlerace #seaturtle