Turtle transmitter continues to work a year after release

MARATHON, Fla. (AP) — An adult loggerhead sea turtle, released off the Florida Keys a year ago, is still being tracked via satellite.

“Mr. T” was named by staff at the Turtle Hospital after he was admitted there in February 2019 for several surgeries to remove a fishhook. He was returned to the ocean May 7, 2019, fitted with a satellite tag that was epoxied to his shell by Mote Marine Laboratory staff to track migratory patterns of male loggerheads.

Since the release, the turtle has traveled more than 1,600 miles. He has spent time in the Atlantic Ocean off the Keys, but also swam in Gulf of Mexico waters off southwest Florida. Currently the marine reptile is off Key Largo.

Turtle Hospital Manager Bette Zirkelbach said Friday that its unusual for the small transmitter to remain on a sea turtle for so long and to keep working.

“Typically, they (transmitters) fall off in about four to six months, but because ‘Mr. T’ is an adult, his continued growth is very slow,” she said. “His shell does not shed as much as a younger turtle.”

Eventually, the transmitter will fall off the turtle, Zirkelbach said.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.