GAINESVILLE — Researchers using satellite tracking have discovered new feeding hotspots in the Gulf of Mexico providing important habitats for at least three separate populations of loggerhead turtles.
The sites are off the coast of Southwest Florida and the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.
A team of scientists intercepted female loggerheads on land and outfitted them with satellite tags at study sites in the Florida Panhandle, Casey Key and Dry Tortugas National Park. They then tracked the females' migrations and used a new method to determine when they had arrived at the two areas.
U.S. Geological Survey researchers said if they can accurately predict where sea turtles will feed, they can focus conservation efforts on prime foraging habitat. Population levels for some of the turtles are well below historic levels.
Community School Graduation ceremony
Collier County arrests: 05-26-2012
Winged Foot winner Brett Clark
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.