It was reported that Astrid named Caretta Caretta turtle, which was treated with the joint work of the Near East University Animal Hospital and Taşkent Nature Park, was left to the sea on the coast of Kyrenia-Güzelyalı again in October and has been continuing its journey in the Mediterranean Sea.
According to the information provided by the Near East University Directorate of Press and Public Relations, Astrid, followed by a satellite transmitter placed on it, traveled 600 kilometers by sea, traveling towards the shores of four countries including Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon and Israel.
The turtle Astrid, is now in Syrian waters and thought to be heading towards Egypt. It is wondered which destination it will choose for wintering.
Astrid continues her migration journey safely…
Tashkent Nature Park Director Kemal Basat, who shared information about Astrid’s voyage, said that the turtle was followed by a satellite transmitter after being released into the sea and according to the data they received, it traveled 600 kilometers so far and is now continuing his journey off the coast of Syria. Basat said “Astrid’s journey has not yet finished, where we are curiously waiting to see where she will prefer to winter. After four years of treatment and rehabilitation process and regaining its health, it was sent back to its natural life and within a 13-day cruise, it went through shores of the four countries. It is possible that Astrid, which is currently living without encountering any problems, will find other Caretta Carettas in the Mediterranean waters. We wonder where he would choose to spend the winter. We will continue to monitor the turtle’s satellite data. We hope Astrid will survive fishing activities on this challenging journey and return to our shores to spawn again. ”
Astrid is heading west towards the coastal waters of the Nile Delta…
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wayne Fuller, a lecturer at the Near East University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, as well as the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute Consultant Marine Turtle Expert, said that Astrid is following known migration routes and is now heading west towards the coastal waters of Egypt and the Nile Delta. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fuller said, “After Astrid was released back to her natural life, she completed her journey to the east following the northern coast of Cyprus, then she headed south and is now continuing her journey towards the North African coastline. It seems Astrid is following other sea turtles. During her voyage, Astrid visited the coastal waters of Lebanon and Israel, and is now heading west towards the coastal waters of Egypt and the Nile Delta. This means that Astrid has so far traveled about 600 km in two weeks and has visited the waters of Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and possibly Egypt. The North African coastline is a popular food gathering center for Mediterranean sea turtles in winter. Thus, in the coming weeks, we will be able to see Astrid settling in a winter place and filling the energy reserves. ”
Following the release of Astrid to her natural habitat on October 27, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Fuller, reported that her diving behavior seems normal, which is good news. Asserting that the satellite transmitter mounted on Astrid will continue to work until next year, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wayne Fuller said Astrid might return to beaches of Cyprus, Turkey or Greece.