Sea turtle to be tracked with satellite

HATAY - Doğan News Agency

The turtle, with a transmitter on its shell, has been released to the sea. AA photo

A 60-year-old and 90-kilogram loggerhead sea turtle has been released with a satellite transmitter on her shell. Pamukkale University Professor Yakup Kaska planted the satellite transmitter on the turtle, named Defne, after she nested and laid her eggs on the Samandağ beach.

“These loggerhead sea turtles go to beaches they know every year in May and leave the region after laying eggs. We placed a 50 to 60 gram satellite transmitter on her shell in order to see the places she goes. When she surfaces to take a breath, we receive signals from the apparatus on her shell, and we can easily understand where she is,” he said.

In a speech delivered as the turtle was released in the sea, Hatay Mayor Celalettin Lekesiz said loggerhead sea turtles laid eggs and reproduced on Mediterranean beaches in 21 regions. “They have a right to live just like people have.”

Lekesiz said the transmitter had cost 10,000 Turkish Liras, which was provided by a foundation in Samandağ.