Giant Sea Turtle Gives World 1st Complete Set of Migration Data
Over the past 2 weeks a number of organizations including National Geographic, Conservation International, and several famous rock bands helped facilitate the “Great Turtle Race”: a fun effort to scientifically track the migration of 11 endangered leatherback sea turtles on their journey from Canada to the Caribbean. In addition to building awareness of the need for turtle conservation, one of the turtles provided the world with the 1st complete set of migration data ever recorded for a sea turtle.
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She traveled all the way from Canada to French Guiana, and has been a research participant for 15 years, which helped scientists to know where she typically nests. Upon reaching shore she laid 95 eggs, and has nested three more times since then.
Scientists followed the sea turtles using satellite tracking devices, that also allowed enthusiasts to watch the race online, while tracking the turtles’ paths, the approximate distance they traveled, how many deep dives they made, and how many times they entered cold water. You can still see the data and a fascinating replay of the race by clicking here. In the end it was a turtle sponsored by the band Pearl Jam that won the race (Wawa Bear came in 5th). Other well-known sponsors included the bands R.E.M and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as U.S. Olympic swimmers.
Leatherback Sea Turtles are an endangered species, and can grow up to 7 feet long and up to 2000 pounds in weight. They can dive up to 4200 feet, deeper than any other sea turtle species. The leatherback also has the longest migration of any sea turtle species.
For more information about leatherbacks and the Great Turtle Race, click here.
Photo Credit: © Jean-Yves Georges
Is this real….???
Obviously not. It’s most likely spray painted styrofoam.
I too, didn’t believe it was real. I looked up Leatherback Sea Turtles and yes, they do exist and yes, they are this large. However, in this case, you would think someone would have taken a video of it moving instead of just a plain picture. It’s not like you ever come across one of these in your entire life. Maybe they did and the leecher of this blog didn’t snag it when they stole the story. Well, the poor angle, flash, and color of this image makes me skeptical.
what is wrong with people? what has made them so cynical. what reasons do you have for thinking that turtle isn’t real. have you done research? oh, no, you haven’t, your just bitter.
The National Geographic site gives lots of information on this species. Very interesting. Publicising this fun and publicly engaging way to educate and interest people in the habits and survival of this species is a great way to help people be invested in their survival and future. Thanks for the update in this article.
Taking a picture of this turtle with flash was a very stupid thing to do. These turtles are light sensitive and people should not be talking pictures of them with flash… Yes Leatherbacks are this large. I personally saw them when I was doing turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica
Photoshopped.
Those people in the background aren’t real.
Who would wear a scarf with T-shirt?
definitely, you can also tell by the mismatching pixles and lack of shadows
shopped.
My gods, what a bunch of idiots. Every time I see a photo of some sort, there has to be at least one dumb-ass who posts the response ’shopped’.
It’s a snapshot of a turtle. The people are not close to it, thus they make it look bigger…but when you’re trying to *help* animals you don’t generally ride on top of them simply to show scale for small minded ‘netizens who can’t tell a turtle from a turd.