Australian turtle tracking aids understanding and conservation

Marine turtles are among the most endangered species on the planet.

In an attempt to assist in the preservation of these unique creatures researchers at the James Cook University in Australia are involved in a project to track the movements of baby flatback turtles.

To follow the turtles as they navigate the Great Barrier Reef scientists fix a GPS tracking device, weighing 100 grammes to the young reptiles.

The turtles are then released into the ocean and monitored by the research team.

Mark Hamann is from the James Cook University: “As the turtle comes to the surface, the little tag will be attached to its back and it will get a signal, we can download that data from the internet and we can figure out the locations and where the turtle’s going.”

Prof Hamann said the GPS data helps them understand where the young turtles go during the early part of their life, where they live and how they use the ocean currents.

Julia Dunn, one of the research team continues:“We don’t