The Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s Tour de Turtles is a sea turtle migration marathon. For at least three months, Tour de Turtles will follow ten sea turtles, using satellite-tracking technology, as they travel from their respective nesting sites to unknown foraging grounds, with the goal of being the first to complete the 2,620 km marathon.By tracking sea turtle migrations, scientists can learn more about these mysterious mariners and the routes they take. This knowledge helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies.
Just as with human marathons, each turtle swims to raise awareness about a particular "cause" or threat to their survival. In 2008, Disney’s Animal Programs, Cruise Line, and Vacation Club teamed up to sponsor “Lumiere” an adult loggerhead who nested near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Lumiere swam to raise awareness about light pollution which can disorient nesting females and hatchlings. Her release launched the Tour de Turtles event, and we are still receiving data from her transmitter. She has spent much of the past year off the gulf coast of Florida. Where will she go to next? In 2009, a second loggerhead who nested near Disney's Vero Beach Resort was sponsored. "Dory" is also swimming for light pollution. Will she follow Lumiere's tracks or chart a new path? Follow her at www.tourdeturtles.org