Thank You

Gabon 2010-11: Corisco Bay, Green Turtles

A project of Marine Turtle Research Group.

click map for full-size version Thank You was released at its capture site in Coriso Bay, Gabon on March 21st, 2010.

Full-Size Map (55KB)
Animated Map (288KB)

Species: Green Turtle
Life Stage: juvenile
Gender: Unknown
Release Date: 2010-03-21 08:13:00
Release Location: Corisco Bay
Last Location: 2010-06-24 08:37:42

Background

Thank You was the fifth green turtle to carry a satellite transmitter in Gabon. This turtle was given its name because it was caught at the last minute of the last day of our planned field work and it was just the right size for our remaining transmitter. Thank You was caught by hand (as a diver jumps from a boat when turtle is sighted) in Corisco Bay near the uninhabited island of Cocotier. Based on its size (43 cm curved carapace length, weighing 9.6 kg), this turtle is a juvenile.

Corisco Bay is an important foraging habitat for juvenile, sub-adult and adult green turtles stemming from at least 10 different rookeries (based on genetic studies). The bay is speckled with rocky fringing reefs and sand bars as well as abundant seagrass and algea upon which green turtles graze. Corisco Bay waters are shared by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea creating an interesting dynamic for community outreach and conservation efforts. As yet, we don't know how long individual turtles remain in Coriso Bay, what regions or habitat features are especially important to them, or where they go when they depart. Thank You and the other turtles tagged this season will hopefully provide such information.