A young green sea turtle named Marcia was released into the wild on July 14 after undergoing rehabilitation at the Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys. The turtle, fitted with a satellite-tracking transmitter, is set to participate in the annual Tour de Turtles race, organized by the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
The Tour de Turtles, now in its 16th year, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by sea turtles and their long-distance migrations. This year's race will track the movements of a dozen sea turtles released from beaches in Florida and various Caribbean islands, starting from August 1.
Dr. Dan Evans, senior research biologist at the Sea Turtle Conservancy, emphasized the importance of the event.
"The Tour de Turtles is raising awareness about sea turtles and the threats to their survival. We are also learning about where they're going, where they're finding food, and what the possible threats to those areas are," Dr. Dan Evans noted.
Marcia, a juvenile green sea turtle, was discovered floating off the Middle Keys in March. The turtle was diagnosed with positive buoyancy disorder, which hampers its ability to dive for food. This condition can be caused by internal infections, gastrointestinal tract obstructions, or injuries to the spine or lungs, often resulting from boat strikes.
Under the care of the Turtle Hospital, Marcia, weighing approximately 23 kilograms, received extensive treatment. The hospital's officials administered broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluids, vitamins, and a diet consisting of greens and mixed seafood to aid the turtle's recovery.
"It's really important to protect sea turtles like Marcia. This tracking and the information it brings to scientists through Tour de Turtles is going to help this species survive," stated Bette Zirkelbach, general manager of the Turtle Hospital.
Green sea turtles, classified as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, face numerous challenges to their survival, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear. By participating in the Tour de Turtles, Marcia and the other tracked sea turtles contribute valuable data that can aid in the conservation efforts aimed at protecting these magnificent creatures.
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