Olive Ridley turtle tracking
Very little is known about olive ridley turtles in and around Australia. While they have a wide global range, the number of important breeding sites is very restricted, so efforts to protect their major nesting beaches are vital.
Olive ridley turtles returning to the sea
© WWF-Canon/Carlos DREWS
The WWF tracking project incorporated continuing nesting studies to give us baseline data about olive ridley population numbers - including the production of eggs from beaches - and aimed to uncover new data, such as the threats to eggs, hatchlings and adults on and around the nesting beach (located 25 km north of the Tiwi Islands' Garden Point).
The project also sought to pinpoint migration routes and feeding ground locations, all-important knowledge if we are to identify location-specific threats, such as "ghost" fishing nets and other marine debris.
The information gathered helps us to work towards stopping negative human impacts to the world's sea turtles (including olive ridleys) throughout this region into the future.
Tracking at the Tiwi Islands
Several olive ridley nesting beaches occur on the Tiwi Islands. In partnership with the Tiwi Land Council we tracked the movements of five olive ridley turtles from their nesting beach to unknown feeding grounds throughout the Arafura Sea (and beyond).
In the week of 19 April 2004, after Milika, Kitirayuwu, Milly, Jika and Mel finished laying their eggs, transmitters were attached to their shells in preparation for their departure into the unknown.
The data in the interactive tracking map was collected as transmissions were sent to satellites, which in turn were relayed to the ground for processing. Calculations were then made to determine the location of each turtle (with an accuracy range from 150 - 1000m). Locations could be pinpointed only when the turtles (and their transmitters) are on the surface.
About the Tiwi Islands
Two islands, Bathurst and Melville, comprise "the Tiwis", which are located approximately 80 km to the north of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia.
The olive ridley nesting beach is approximately 25 km north of Melville Island's Garden Point.
Melville Island is Australia's second largest Island, after Tasmania.
- The Tiwi Islands were proclaimed an Aboriginal Reserve in 1912.
- Tiwi is the main language spoken.
- Population is approximately 2500.
- The four main settlements are Nguiu and Wurankuwu on Bathurst Island, and Pularumpi (Garden Point) and Milikapiti (Snake Bay) on Melville Island.
- The Tiwi Islands are famous for their art and Australian football stars.
Partners
The olive ridley tracking project is conducted in partnership with the Tiwi Land Council and their Marine Ranger Program.
The project could not be conducted without - the local knowledge and enthusiasm of Jack Long (Marine Ranger, Tiwi Land Council), Kate Hadden (Secretary Land and Resource Development, Tiwi Land Council), and the assistance of Ray Chatto (Parks and Wildife Service, NT).
This project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage.
Ongoing turtle tracking work is proudly sponsored by a grant from the Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation through their WildlifeLink program which seeks to support the propagation, preservation and protection of wildlife in Australia, and the conservation of its habitat.
