This year alone, the Australia Zoo Rescue Unit has rescued over 80 turtles from the South-east Queensland area. Until now, there was no way of knowing what happens to the rehabilitated turtles once they are returned to the wild.
Rafael, the three-flippered turtle, was released into the ocean off the Sunshine Coast on June 11, 2009. He is the latest turtle to be rehabilitated and returned to the wild, and the first to be tracked!
Prior to his release, experts fitted Rafael with a state-of-the-art satellite tracking system. The device is designed to track Rafael's movements and progress in the wild, post rehabilitation.
Rafael has been back in the ocean for three weeks- and he is doing great! The three-flippered turtle is monitored very closely, week to week, using the amazing satellite technology. Australia Zoo and turtle experts can check how far Rafael has travelled and where he has been. And the best part about it- you can track him too!
Check out the new turtle tracking page to see Rafael's latest movements. You can also read about the places he has visited and how far this amazing three-flippered turtle has travelled.
Australia Zoo, in conjunction with Sirtrack, will monitor Rafael for 500 days.