Post-Nesting Migrations of Loggerhead Turtles Caretta Caretta From Georgia, USA: Conservation Implications for a Genetically Distinct Subpopulation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2002
Description
The loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta is listed as threatened with extinction on the US Endangered Species Act. Those loggerhead turtles that nest on US beaches from North Carolina to north-east Florida are a genetically distinct subpopulation. This subpopulation is small, and may be declining. To obtain information about the migratory pathways of these turtles we tracked post-nesting movements of five females by satellite from their nesting beach at Wassaw Island, Georgia. Four turtles migrated north of the nesting beach, of which three moved to coastal waters of mid Atlantic states (total distances of 157-1,458 km). Efforts to reduce mortality of northern subpopulations of loggerhead turtles need to focus on identifying and reducing threats in north-east US waters.
Citation Information
Plotkin, Pamela T.; and Spotila, James R.. 2002. Post-Nesting Migrations of Loggerhead Turtles Caretta Caretta From Georgia, USA: Conservation Implications for a Genetically Distinct Subpopulation. ORYX. Vol.36(4). 396-399. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605302000753 ISSN: 0030-6053