OCEAN AMBASSADORS

Satellite Tracking
Our Turtles

Using satellite telemetry, this site tracks the green turtles of the Turtle Islands at the border of Sabah, Malaysia and Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. The tracking results tell some very interesting stories about these endangered species'  time around the islands and their migration.

The Turtle Islands are the first trans-frontier protected area for sea turtles in the world and Southeast Asia's single most important green turtle conservation area

 Turtle Biology
 Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area
-- Philippine Turtle
Islands
 DENR Conservation Program in the Turtle Islands
-- How You Can Help
 Turtle Threats
Satellite Tracking Our Turtles
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Tagging methods used

Two tagging methods have been used to mark our Ocean Ambassadors for satellite tracking. In October 1998 and in July 1999, we used a method that employs Epoxy glue to attach the transmitter to the turtle's carapace. (Click here to see details). In March 2001, we tried a new method of attachment using resin and fiberglass to attach the transmitter.

In the Epoxy adhesive method, the tagged turtle can be released in 15-20 minutes. The new method takes longer. After nesting, the turtle is placed in a wooden cage so the work can be done during the day. In addition, it takes about 2-3 hours to prepare the adhesive and let it set.


Using the fiberglass-resin method, team from the Pawikan Conservation Project and WWF-Philippines attaches transmitter to a nesting turtle on Selingan Island, Sabah Parks Turtle Islands. (J. Palma, WWF-Phiilippines, March 2001)

The fiberglass-resin method does offer an important advantage: It uses a rolled fiberglass support, which is inserted at the base of the antenna, to protect the antenna against damage that usually occurs when the turtles are in the foraging area. With such protection, we were able to tag our Ocean Ambassadors early in their nesting season, unlike in the Epoxy adhesive method, where we had to be careful to tag female turtles that had already nested several times during the season and were ready to start their migration.

Related story: How to track turtles by satellite.

| turtle biology | turtle islands heritage protected area | philippine turtle islands |
| denr conservation program in the turtle islands | turtle threats |
| satellite tracking our turtles | tracking results |
| project contacts | sources of information | feedback |


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This website was made possible through support provided by the USAID under the terms of Contract No. AID 492-0444-C-00-6028-00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID. As long as proper reference is made to the source, articles may be quoted or reproduced in any form for non-commercial, non-profit purposes to advance the cause of marine environmental management and conservation.