Green Turtles Travel Thousands of Kilometres Around New Zealand
Published
Green turtles in New Zealand are travelling long distances along the coast, according to new information from the Department of Conservation (DOC). Tracking work has shown that these animals can cover thousands of kilometres, which is a surprising result for many people who think of the turtles as occasional visitors.
DOC uses tracking devices to follow the movements of the turtles. The data shows which coastal areas the turtles visit most often. These places, sometimes called favourite haunts, are important for understanding where the turtles feed, rest and move between locations.
Green turtles are a protected species in New Zealand. Knowing where they travel helps conservation staff protect their habitats and reduce risks such as boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Boaters and beachgoers are asked to keep a safe distance if they see a turtle and to report any sightings or injured animals to DOC.
The tracking results show how much scientists still have to learn about these animals. DOC will continue to monitor the turtles so that it can make better decisions about protecting them in the future.
Sources: Boating New Zealand
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