Updates from the field
Say hello to Juniper!
After laying several nests earlier in the season, a team of biologists has encountered and tagged a rare leatherback sea turtle that is nesting along Sanibel and Captiva Islands. She can now be tracked in real time as she travels the southwest Florida coast. On April 1, 2020, biologists with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Read more about Say hello to Juniper![…]
Isla has returned!
Isla, the endangered leatherback sea turtle returns to Jupiter Island, Florida! Jupiter Island, Florida USA, April 24, 2020 – After almost two years and traveling more than 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) Isla, an endangered leatherback sea turtle with a transmitter was once again encountered by researchers on her nesting beach at Jupiter Island, Florida. “We Read more about Isla has returned![…]
Well, they are here early!
The leatherbacks are here! EARLY!! The first nest of the year was documented on February 6th – the earliest on record in Florida. We are now aware of SIX nests on our study area. Doss that mean it will be a record year? We hope so! Thanks to our friends at Ecological Associates Inc. for Read more about Well, they are here early![…]
Mid-Season Update
We’re fast approaching the peak of leatherback nesting and wanted to give you a quick update. We have encountered leatherbacks a total of 182 times. We often see the same individuals multiple times since leatherbacks return every 8-11 days and can nest up to 10-11 times each season! We have seen a total of 86 Read more about Mid-Season Update[…]
Kailani Returns!
11 days after we attached her transmitter, Kailani returned to nest again. For those that have been following along, we attached Kailani’s transmitter in March. The goal of this project is to help us better determine how many times an individual turtle nests within a single season. Last season we documented 11 nests from a Read more about Kailani Returns![…]
Three Week Update
It’s been a bit of a slow start for us. We had multiple ATV issues pop up within just two days and out survey team got cut short until we could get them repaired. Our team covers approximately 25 miles of beach each night with just a three-volunteer team so our ATVs are crucial to Read more about Three Week Update[…]
Exciting Start!
Our surveys started about a week ago and we’ve had an exciting start to the season! Over the weekend we attached a transmitter to a turtle named Kailani. This transmitter will monitor Kailani throughout the nesting season to allow us to determine how many nests she lays and where she goes between each nest. We’re Read more about Exciting Start![…]
The 2019 season is almost here!
In less than two months, our team will once again be on the beach conducting research on Florida’s endangered leatherback sea turtles. Our lead biologists have been doing this work for nearly 20 years! We have encountered leatherbacks thousands of times and identified over 800 unique individuals. In 2019, our team of volunteers encountered leatherbacks Read more about The 2019 season is almost here![…]
World Sea Turtle Day!
It’s World Sea Turtle Day so we thought we’d give you a season update – finally! These girls have been keeping us busy! We have passed the 300 mark! We’ve now had a total of 316 encounters this year. Most of these turtles have been seen numerous times throughout the nesting season. We have seen Read more about World Sea Turtle Day![…]
Chat with Isla the leatherback turtle
Ever wanted to chat with a sea turtle? Send a text message to Isla the leatherback and see what she is up to! She can be reached at 831-346-ISLA (831-346-4752) Isla will be happy to let you know where she is, how she is doing or what she encounters out there in the ocean. Send Read more about Chat with Isla the leatherback turtle[…]