In 2008, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and the University of Central Florida (UCF) began an inaugural sea turtle research and conservation project to study the migration patterns of threatened loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in and near the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge on the central east coast of Florida. The study will reveal important information about the turtle’s migratory behavior, including migratory routes, foraging grounds, and the areas of potential conflict with commercial fisheries or legal harvest of sea turtles. This critical information will enhance the ability of resource managers and conservationists in their efforts to protect loggerheads, both in U.S. waters and through international conservation efforts.
The satellite transmitter attached to each loggerhead sends signals to orbiting satellites each time the turtles surface to breath. The data will be collected and downloaded to STC & UCF researchers. In 2010, UCF, through funding from the Sea Turtle Grants Program, attached GPS satellite transmitters to nesting females loggerheads as part of an investigate of reproductive parameters, movements and feeding habits of nesting loggerheads. The information gained from this study will improve estimates of adult nesting population size, identify movement patterns and expand the knowledge on feeding ecology.
Educational migration maps will show the best location points of the turtle’s movements and locations. This will allow interested persons all over the world to watch along as researchers discover where the sea turtles travel after nesting. Through STC’s online educational program, the public is invited to watch along on the Internet as we learn more about these amazing animals.
For more information on sea turtles, check out the Sea Turtles Information section of our website.
Click on the turtle’s name to see a map of its movements.
2015 Turtles
2014 Turtles
2013:
2012:
2011:
2010:
HANNA – Hanna is an adult female green sea turtle encountered nesting on July 20, 2009, on the beach in the Tortguuero National Park, Costa Rica and measured 92.5 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. She was named by Sea Turtle Conservancy and was sponsored by a grant from the Sea Turtle Grants Program
NOHEA – Nohea is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on May 20, 2010 in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida and measured 98.2 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. She was named by her sponsor, Shark Reef Aquarium.
IRIDESSA – I’m an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on July 30, 2010 south of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida and measure 91.3 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. She was named by her sponsor, “Team Disney.” which includes Disney’s Animal Programs and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
MERRYWEATHER
I’m an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on July 30, 2010 south of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida and measured 91.3 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. She was named by her sponsor, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.
2009:
DORY – Dory is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered on July 31, 2009, south of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She measured 113.0 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. A satellite tag was applied after she nested. Dory’s transmitter is sponsored by Disney Animal Programs and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
BREE VARDA – Bree is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on July 30, 2009, in Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She measured 95.6 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. A satellite tag was applied after she nested. Bree’s transmitter is sponsored by MeGotta.
RERE – I’m an adult female loggerhead sea turtle first encountered nesting on May 10, 2009, in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. I measure 101.3 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. She was named by Rei Heroman and Teal Phillips.
SQUIRT – Squirt is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on May 21, 2009, in Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She measured 95.6 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. A satellite tag was applied after she nested. She was named by the students of the Ocean Reef Academy.
PATTY – Patty is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered on May 10, 2009, in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She measured 113.0 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. A satellite tag was applied after she nested. She was named by the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Researchers.
LULU – Lulu is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on May 17, 2009, in Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She measured 95.6 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. A satellite tag was applied after she nested. She was named by the kids of 6th grade at Parkway Middle School in Kissimmee, Florida.
2008:
BELLE O’ BREVARD – Belle o’ Brevard is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered on July 30, 2008, in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She returned to nest in in the Carr Refuge 2011. She measured 113.0 cm in curved carapace (shell) length, on the larger size for a loggerhead. Researchers estimate she weighed around 350 lbs! A satellite tag was applied after she false crawled.
LUMIERE – Lumiere is an adult female loggerhead sea turtle encountered nesting on July 31, 2008, south of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida. She measured 95.6 cm in curved carapace (shell) length. A satellite tag was applied after she nested. Lumiere’s transmitter is sponsored by Disney Animal Programs, Disney Vacation Club and Disney Cruise Lines.
