1,318 lbs sea turtle surfaces: See where
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(WJW) – A huge sea turtle named “Patricia” has recently surfaced.
Researchers have been tracking the 1,318-pound, adult leatherback sea turtle since 2023. She was first tagged in Jupiter Beach, Florida. Since then, researchers have followed her more than 14-thousand miles and, according to a tracking system provided by the non-profit OCEARCH, she has recently surfaced off Nova Scotia.
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According to OCEARCH, a ping is reported whenever an animal’s tag breaks the surface of the water. Patricia pinged shortly after midnight on July 2, 2024.
The 5-feet, 5-inch turtle is the heaviest weighed by researchers as part of an ongoing study on the body condition of leatherbacks based out of Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Florida.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leatherback sea turtles are the largest living sea turtles and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
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OCEARCH, primarily known for the tracking of sharks, recently announced that 13 additional sea turtles have been tagged and can now also be tracked.
OCEARCH encourages “facts over fear.” The non-profit helps conduct research and provides education and outreach opportunities. You can learn more about OCEARCH and their work, here.
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