Tag Archives: Recap


Tour de Turtles 2015

Sea Turtle Conservancy celebrated its 8th annual Tour de Turtles (TdT) with a live sea turtle release on August 2nd at the Barrier Island Center, located in the heart of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Melbourne, Florida.

Hundreds of people gathered to watch STC researchers release two adult female loggerheads sea turtles, named “Myrtle” and “Dash”, into the ocean to begin their migrations. Myrtle was named by her sponsors at Ripley’s Aquariums and Dash was named by her sponsors at Shark Reed Aquarium. The event was sponsored in part by the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate.

7Q7A4333TDT.LaunchReleaseMelbourneAug2.2015

This year 13 sea turtles, representing four different species, were swimming in the race to conduct valuable research and raise public awareness about sea turtles.

The 2015 TdT included live turtle releases in Panama, Costa Rica, Nevis and Florida. This year is the first time a nesting turtle was released from Florida’s West Coast. Loggerhead “Amie” was named by her sponsors from the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch group and released in the Gulf of Mexico in June.

Before each turtle release, STC scientists attached a satellite transmitter to its shell using– safe epoxy or fiber class resin. The transmitter allows STC and the public to track the turtles as they travel and migrate from their nesting beaches to their foraging grounds.

Meet the competitors!

Calypso Blue IV-pic (1)

 Calypso Blue IV, Leatherback

Sponsor: Atlantis Paradise Island

Cause: Commercial Trawl Fisheries

 

 

 

 

Myrtle,  Loggerhead

Sponsor: Ripley’s Aquariums

Cause: Plastic Debris

 

 

Marina-pic

 

Marina, Loggerhead

Sponsor: Disney Conservation Fund

Cause: Plastic Debris

 

 

Susie Q, Green Turtle

Sponsor: Turtle & Hughes, Inc.

Cause: Light Pollution

 

 

 

Dash, Loggerhead

Sponsor: Shark Reef

Cause: Commercial Longline Fisheries

 

 

 

Tinkerbell, Loggerhead

Sponsors: Disney’s Animal Protection Programs & Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Cause: Water Quality

 

 

 

Millie, HawksbillMillie-pic

Sponsor: Four Seasons

Cause: Water Quality

 

 

 

Insolites, Leatherback 

Sponsor: Continents Insolites SAS

Cause: Invasive Species Predation

 

 

 

Pawikan, Green Turtle

Sponsor: Pacsafe

Cause: Egg Harvest for Consumption

 

 

 

Luna, HawksillLuna-pic

Sponsor: Four Seasons

Cause: Climate Change

 

 

 

Tiki, Hawksbill

Sponsors: Treadright Foundation & Contiki

Cause: Illegal Shell Trading

 

 

 

Aaron, Loggerhead

Sponsor: The Turtle Hospital

Cause: Boat Strikes

 

 

 

Amie, LoggerheadAmie-pic

Sponsor: Anna Maria Island

Cause: Beach Erosion

 

 

Turtle fans can follow the turtle’s migration online at www.tourdeturtles.org, and  cheer on their favorite competitor while learning  the threats that sea turtle face. Fans can support their favorite turtle online by virtual adopting, tweeting, or making a pledge for every mile the turtle swims. The turtle who swims the farthest by October 31 will be crowned the winner of the “race”. while the turtle who raises the mist support online, will be crowned the “People’s choice winner”.