“Sea turtles are part of the old wilderness of the Earth . . .
if we let sea turtles go, it is a sign we are ready to let all wilderness go.”
—DR. ARCHIE CARR, FATHER OF MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION
TRACKING ‘A i t k a n t i’
EQUIPPED WITH A GLOBAL POSITIONING DEVICE,
ATIKANTI SHOVES OFF THE BEACH, JUNE 25, 2005.
A
fter successfully depositing her clutch
of eggs on a stretch of white sand at
Samsambo Beach, Suriname, Aitkanti,
a 1000 pound leatherback sea turtle recently
adopted by the Ocean Magazine, lumbered into
the warm South Atlantic beginning yet another
epic voyage at sea. But before she dove into the
depths, Aitkanti was rigged with a Sony Walk-
man-sized satellite global positioning device in
order to track her travels in the open ocean.
One of seventeen critically endangered
leatherback sea turtles fitted with a satellite trans-
mitter by the Caribbean Conservation Corp.
(CCC) as part of its Sea Turtle Migration-Track-
ing Education Program, Aitkanti, since June 25,
2005, has been tracked from her South American
nesting beach, across the Atlantic to Africa, then
north to where she currently swims off the coast
of Great Britain—a voyage thus far of over 7,231
miles—and she has yet to make the return trip to
her natal beach! (See map above)
By virtue of this most valuable program AFTER DEPOSITING HER CLUTCH OF EGGS ON A BEACH IN SURINAME, SHE PREPARES FOR ANOTHER LONG VOYAGE AT SEA. your turtle’s movements through CCC’s web-
utilizing satellite telemetry, researchers can gain
insight to the scope of a specific turtles’ travels, its feeding
grounds and what threats it may be facing at sea. To date,
over one million children and adults have participated in the
program in addition to being featured on CNN, Discov-
ery Network, Animal Planet and the National Geographic
Channel.
Established in 1957 by the father of marine turtle
conservation, Dr. Archie Carr, CCC became the first orga-
nization in the world dedicated solely to the preservation of
marine turtles through research, education, advocacy and
protection of its natural habitats. Through his pioneering
work, Dr. Carr discovered these ancient creatures are crucial
strands in the web of ocean life, helping to sustain the
biological diversity of the oceans, thereby sustaining life on
Earth.
By depositing their eggs on the shore, sea turtles trans-
port vital nutrients from the ocean to nutrient-poor coastal
and inshore habitats. In fact, sea turtles are the only marine
AITKANTI’S MIGRATION ROUTE
SINCE JUNE 25, 2005
GOIN’ BACK
—DANIEL EVANS PHOTO
~AITKANTI~
—DANIEL EVANS PHOTO
species that regularly transfer nutrients to the upland coastal
habitat.
Destruction of feeding and nesting habitats and pol-
lution of the world’s oceans are all taking a serious toll on
remaining sea turtle populations. Many breeding popula-
tions have already become extict, and entire species are being will notifiy you via their newletter if we see your turtle again.
wiped out. There could be a time in the near future when
sea turtles are just an oddity found only in aquariums and
natural history museums—unless action is taken NOW.
How you can help
There are many things each of us can do to help sea
turtles survive. First, we must remember that we share the
oceans and the beaches with many other species.
Second, become informed about the things that are
killing sea turtles or destroying their habitat. Elected officials
and other leaders are making decisions on issues that affect
sea turtles almost every day. As an informed citizen, you have 800 678 7853.
the power to influence the outcome of these
issues by making your voice heard.
Third, take personal responsibility for
your actions. By simply reducing the amount
of plastic garbage, using biodegradable chemi-
cals and not leaving trash on the beach when
you leave, you can help save sea turtles and
protect coastal habitats.
Through CCC’s Sea Turtle Adoption
Program, an individual, group or corporation
may sponsor an endangered sea turtle for a
tax-deductable donation of at least $25. Pro-
ceeds go directly to maintaining research and
protection of the sea turtle’sf natural habitat.
There are two adoption options available:
Satellite-tracked Turtle: CCC has several
named turtles with satellite transmitters at-
tached to the backs of their shells. This allows
us to use space age technology to learn more
about their migratory behavior. When you
adopt a satellite-tagged turtle, you can track
site! (www.cccturtle.org)
Name-your-own-Turtle: With this option, you can adopt
one of the many turtles CCC researchers tag on the warm
sand beaches of our research station in Costa Rica. With a
name-your-own turtle adoption, you are th only person to
adopt your turtle and you choose the turtle’s name. CCC
Along with your membership, you will receive a
tailor-made adoption kit, including a personalized adoption
certificate, introductory newsletter, Sea Turtle Conservation
Guide, colorful magnet, logo sticker and a one-year subscrip-
tion to CCC’s newsletter, the Velador.
By adopting an endangered sea turtle, you and your
loved ones will take great pride in helping to ensure the
survival of some of the rarest creatures on the planet. A great
gift of love that I am sure the sea turtles appreciate too.
Adopt-A-Turtle online at: www.ccctur-
tle.org/adopt-a-turtle or call CCC toll free at