A turtle released back into the wild off the coast of the Algarve 10 months ago has already covered 10,000 kilometres.
Zoomarine biologists, in cooperation with the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Biodiversity (ICNB) and the Portuguese Navy, released Calantha, a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) on September 30, 2009 along with Cat and Tartaruga, two green turtles.
Calantha is carrying a transmitter whose signal allows the Zoomarine biologists to follow the turtle’s journey.
Zoomarine biologist Élio Vicente told the Algarve Resident: “Ten months on, the data received from the transmitter so far has been crucial for us to understand the animal’s route and speed.
“This is a special mark for Calantha but also for Zoomarine and, in particular, for the professionals who work in the park’s centre for rehabilitation of marine species.
“We hope that this symbolic mark of 10,000 kilometres can be exceeded many times and we will continue to follow the whole process,” said Élio Vicente.
The team at Zoomarine will continue to monitor Calantha’s journey.
