Turtle power — scientists tag second giant visitor to Kerry
A year after they successfully tagged a female leatherback turtle called Cuas, scientists are able to watch the progress of a giant male on satellite.
The latest leatherback, who was spotted by salmon fishermen entangled in nets off Dingle 13 days ago, was tagged in a joint operation between UCC and the University of Wales marine biologists Dr Jonathan Houghton and Tom Doyle.
In the intervening period, he has travelled more than 700 miles into the Bay of Biscay.
Little is known about the lifestyle of these giant turtles, except for information picked up by scientists at breeding sites in the tropics.
The current project is being funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
“We are looking at migration patterns and trying to understand the turtles’ behaviour and movements at sea. We don’t even know how long they live because leatherbacks, unlike other turtles, don’t have hard shells. These shells can be used to determine age,” Tom Doyle said.
He added that the giant male had probably followed jellyfish, which they feed on, into Irish waters.
“We are very grateful for the help of local fishermen and we are staying in Dingle in the hope of locating more of the turtles,” he said.
The team have set up a website so that people can follow the progress of both leatherbacks. It is www.turtle.ie.
Meanwhile, Cuas, who was named by national school children in Dingle, is continuing her journey north.
The female leatherback is approaching the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and should reach her destination in a few weeks if she continues her current swimming speed and direction.
