Turtle Race Being Tracked on the Web

[rodeodance]

Source: AP



Turtle Race Being Tracked on the Web


Apr 15, 11:22 PM (ET)

By TATIANA LOPEZ

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) - Biologists will switch on satellite trackers strapped to the backs of 11 female leatherback turtles on Monday, starting what conservationists have dubbed the "Great Turtle Race" to raise awareness of a species threatened with extinction.

Sponsored by U.S. and Costa Rican environmental groups and businesses, the race will track the turtles on their annual 1,200 mile journey from Costa Rica's Pacific coast to the Galapagos Islands.

Environmentalists say 90 percent of the leatherbacks have vanished and the species may disappear within 10 years due to illegal poaching of their eggs, ocean contamination and development near their nesting grounds.

Internet users can log on to , read about the turtles and then track them over the next two weeks as they complete their migration to the islands off the Ecuadorean coast, according to the event's organizers, headed by Washington, D.C.-based Conservation International.

http://www.greatturtlerace.com


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070416/D8OHEO880.html

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I think this is a grand idea.

[annabanana]

1. Bookmarked!

This is great stuff!

[MadHound]

2. I appreciate this creative way of raising awareness about the turtles' plight

But won't this just lead the poachers to their eggs? Let's hope that they've got people on that end who will watch out for the eggs.

[wakeme2008]

3. Thanks passed it around at work

:)

[MaineDem]

4. "...Stephanie Colburtle after U.S. comedian Stephen Colbert"

One of the turtle's is named for Stephen Colbert. He did a piece on this the other night.

Go Stephanie!

[Bombero1956]

5. she's in 1st place

only 453 miles to go.

[AnneD]

6. I love it...

Go Stephanie. I sent it to all our science teachers. What a hoot.

[Up2Late]

9. Stephanie is Winning!

She's about 5 miles ahead!:applause:

[rcdean]

7. One of the most creative projects and web sites ever! n/t

.

[brentspeak]

8. K & R

:kick:

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Something similar is being tried with walrus (walruses? walri?):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x90564

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6529663.stm
doesn't seem to be updated very often.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x90849

[Lisa0825]

11. My Scuba club is participating in it....

We have some wagers going on with another club in town on whose turtles will win:-)

[Raine]

12. Cool

THANKS for the link! :-) :thumbsup:

[Pavulon]

13. Turtles are really great

In my travels I have always enjoyed seeing them. Poaching is terrible in Mexico and other LA countries. Steps similar to those used to deal with african elephant poachers will be required.

[NYC]

14. Bookmarked.

Recommended. Thank you. :hi: