North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Yearling Loggerheads 2012
A project of NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.
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| Name | Species | Life Stage | Release Date | Last Location | Days Transmitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina | Loggerhead | Juvenile | 2012-11-26 | 2012-12-19 | 23 |
| Kure | Loggerhead | Juvenile | 2012-11-26 | 2012-12-16 | 20 |
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Introduction
The yearling loggerhead tracking program initiated at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) in 2012 furthers the organizationâs mission of inspiring appreciation and conservation of North Carolinaâs aquatic environments.
Working closely with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project (PISTP), NCAFF acquires several loggerhead hatchlings each year. The PISTP obtains the hatchlings during nest excavations, which occur 72 hours after nests hatch. NCWRC permits allow NCAFF to display the loggerheads for educational purposes.
Husbandry staff monitors the hatchling loggerheads daily and pays close attention to growth rates and physical development during their time at NCAFF. The animals are weighed and measured weekly. Veterinary staff from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine conduct quarterly physicals. As a result of this work, the staff continually adjusts the turtlesâ diets to provide for the highest level of nutrition and care.
While on display at the Aquarium, these hatchlings serve as part of the interactive âLetâs Talk Turtleâ exhibit, where visitors talk with staff and volunteers about the life histories of sea turtles and the perils they face. These small ambassadors for their species help educate more than 400,000 NCAFF visitors each year.
When the hatchlings reach about 1 year old, the staff begins to transition them for release back to their natural environment. A year-end physical is performed and, if deemed healthy, supplemental live food is offered to the turtles to simulate natural foraging. Larger enclosures are also provided to strengthen swimming muscles. Then, the turtles are transported via Aquarium vessel to the Gulf Stream where water temperatures and currents are favorable to juvenile loggerheads.
In 2012, the Aquarium began a new chapter of learning about yearling loggerheads. The evolution of satellite tagging produced a tag of small enough dimensions and weight to be affixed to our release candidates. Ultimately, the tags will transmit data for many months, giving us a glimpse into the migration patterns of these young turtles.
Project Partners
Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project
http://www.seaturtleproject.org/
