MedTRACS (Mediterranean Turtle Research and Conservation Society), the organisation responsible for implementing Cyprus' national Sea Turtle Protection and Monitoring Programme, has begun using satellite telemetry to track the journeys of the island's sea turtles in partnership with the NGO Sea Turtle Conservancy.
According to a statement issued by the organisation, this is the first time satellite transmitters have been fitted to female turtles nesting at Lara Bay, one of the Mediterranean's most important breeding sites for sea turtles.
The transmitters were attached in June to one green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and one loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) as part of a joint initiative aimed at improving understanding of the movements of Cyprus' sea turtles throughout the Mediterranean.
Andrea & Lara
Sea turtles are highly migratory species and, by tracking them, researchers hope to gain valuable insights into their migration routes, key feeding grounds, habitat use and the challenges they face during their journeys.
The two turtles have been named Andrea and Lara.
Andrea was named in honour of Andreas Dimitropoulos, who founded Cyprus' Sea Turtle Protection Programme in 1978.
"This pioneering project laid the foundations for sea turtle conservation in Cyprus and the wider region," the organisation said.
Lara takes her name from Lara Beach, the heart of the conservation programme and one of the Mediterranean's most important nesting beaches for both green and loggerhead turtles.
Members of the public can follow the turtles' movements through the programme's online tracking maps:
MedTRACS satellite tracking project
Sea Turtle Conservancy Cyprus tracking page
Source: CNA
