Seagrass-Watch Magazine Issue 47 - March 2013 | Page 45

Goold Island August 2012
LJ

Five turtles have also had satellite
trackers fitted on them in the sea country
area. These turtles have remained around
the Hinchinbrook and Goold Island areas.
Named Arana, Shanaya, Daku, Puku and
Marcus by the Girringun Junior Rangers
from the Cardwell State School, the details
of turtle movements can be seen at
www.seaturtle.org. The 12 junior rangers
are actively involved in the Girringun
rangers work, not just the turtle tagging but
also beach clean-up and a variety of
environmental educational activities.
It is planned for more satellite trackers to
be fitted on turtles, focussing on the female
turtles to identify were they are nesting to
help to preserve the hatchlings to give
them a better chance in life. It is also
planned for satellite trackers to be fitted to
dugongs some time soon.
The rangers have also been assisting
James Cook University with turtle
research at the southern extent of

Girringun sea country at Ollera Beach
This has included tagging, taking
measurements, looking at general wellbeing, taking of biopsy samples to check
for viruses and taking gut samples to look
at the variable diet of the turtle.

It is planned for more trackers
to be fitted on turtles, focusing
on the female turtles to track
where they are nesting to
help to preserve the hatchlings
to give them
a better chance
in life.

Goold Island September 2011
LM

MARCH 2013

45