In a prime example of how innovative partnering, space technology, and good timing can advance discoveries in marine biology, University of Central Florida (UCF) and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) marine biologists have succeeded in attaching a satellite transmitter to track themigration of a leatherback turtle after nesting in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. This is an historic event for the Archie Carr Refuge and an important step to understand the migration patterns of endangered leatherback turtles after they leave the nesting beaches of the Refuge and begin their long journey in the Atlantic Ocean.

The tagged turtle was first seen nesting in the Archie Carr Refuge in 1994. She was named "China Girl" by UCF turtle biologist Dean Bagley to commemorate a group of Chinese scientists who were visiting the United States to learn how we protect sea turtles and their nesting beaches.

"China Girl" is a regular visitor to Florida's shores. She was observed nesting in the Carr Refuge in 1994, 1996 and in 2000. Scientists believe that she probably nested in 1998, but she was not encountered.

UCF biologists have monitored the nesting beaches of the Archie Carr Refuge in Florida for almost two decades. Only recently have leatherback turtles been nesting in significant numbers in the Carr Refuge. The recent nesting increase, coupled with a large number of leatherback deaths off the Florida coast in 1999, caught the interest of local marine biologists.

In a recent Archie Carr Working Group meeting, biologists Dr. Lew Ehrhart (UCF), Dean Bagley (UCF), Dr. Duane De Freese (Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute) and Dr. Blair Witherington (Florida Marine Research Institute) discussed this recent phenomena. Given the highly endangered status of this species, they agreed that efforts should be undertaken to investigate how the leatherback is utilizing the Refuge.

They invited Dr. Scott Eckert, Senior Research Biologist of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in San Diego California to collaborate on this joint study. Dr. Eckert has worked with leatherbacks for more than 20 years and is the world's authority on the pelagic behavior and migration of this species. One of Dr. Eckert's specialties is the use of satellite telemetry to study the leatherback as it ranges the oceans, where it may travel more than 10,000 km (6,214 mi) in a single year.

No one had ever tracked a leatherback from the Carr Refuge or from Florida with a satellite transmitter, although UCF and biologists from the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have actively tracked loggerhead and green turtles over the past years. It seemed like a perfect match for a research partnership. In fact, Dr. Eckert just happened to have a spare satellite transmitter in his lab in San Diego. Phone calls were made, research protocols were finalized, permits were requested and issued and everyone waited for the leatherback nesting to begin in the Archie Carr Refuge. Scott Eckert waited by the phone for the call to fly to Florida.

Once the UCF researchers identified leatherback nests, a projection for nesting dates was prepared. Leatherbacks lay eggs several times during the nesting season. Normally the nesting interval is every 9-10 days. Eckert traveled from San Diego on two separate two-week windows in April and May in an attempt to time the nesting of a leatherback turtle. With over 20 miles of beach to survey, the UCF sea turtle team has a difficult task.

During the first two weeks a radio transmitter was deployed to track the local position of China Girl. Radio transmitters were supplied by Dr. David Nelson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Blair Witherington and Chris Koeppel of the Florida Marine Research Institute provided additional support. Unfortunately, a radio transmitter is not effective in tracking an animal over large expanses of the open ocean.

During the second two week interval, the team searched for a "lucky" first leatherback to fit for the satellite transmitter. On May 22, during China Girl's 7th nest of the season and on the last night Eckert would be in Florida, the team was successful. China Girl would carry the satellite transmitter.

"China Girl" was fitted with a satellite transmitter attached by a custom harness built by Eckert. The transmitter was manufactured by Sirtrack out of New Zealand with components made by Seimac of Canada. The expected life of the transmitter is 4 months. As long as the transmitter stays attached and functions properly, Eckert will be receiving satellite signals indicating China Girl's position.

China Girl's progress - June 22, 2000

China Girl laid 8 nests in the Carr Refuge this year. The average number of nests laid by leatherbacks in the Atlantic is 6, so she is a bit above the average. The scientists are currently monitoring her daily movements and she now appears to be headed north to her foraging grounds.

Dr. Eckert feels like she will likely head north to Canada and arrive there in July or August, then leave in late October or November for Africa in a pattern he has recorded from leatherbacks originating from beaches in the southern Caribbean.

The prospects are exciting for Eckert. "I'm collaborating with Canadian scientist Mike James to study leatherbacks in Nova Scotian feeding grounds and it would be a thrill if China Girl visited our other study site".

Leatherback Facts

• China Girl is 158.5 cm (5.2 feet ) curved carapace length. Her weight should therefore be about 350kg (770 lbs).
• UCF and HSWRI scientists documented that "China Girl" laid 8 nests in the Carr Refuge in 2000. All of her known nests, beginning in 1994, were located within the Brevard County portion of the Carr Refuge.
• Leatherbacks are the world's largest reptiles.
• Leatherbacks are the most endangered species of marine turtle.
• Leatherbacks eat only jellyfish.
• Leatherbacks have the widest migration range of any reptile, but live primarily in cool northern or southern waters.
• Most important feeding areas in the Atlantic for leatherbacks are the N. Atlantic between 40 - 55 degrees North and off the coast of Africa between theCanary and Cape Verde Islands.
• Leatherbacks only rarely stop swimming (even when sleeping) and will average 45 - 65 km per day.
• Leatherbacks have been tracked swimming more than 12,000 km (7,457 miles) in a single year.
• Recent articles in Nature (June 1, 2000) and Christian Science Monitor (June 1, 2000) discussed the dramatic decline of leatherbacks in the Pacific.

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