Rare Three-Finned Sea Turtle Released with Satellite Tracker in Florida

A rare Kemp's ridley sea turtle named Amelie, who lost a front flipper to a predator, has been released back into the Atlantic Ocean with a satellite tracking device. Scientists are monitoring how well sea turtles with amputated limbs can survive in the wild.

JUNO BEACH, Fla. — Marine biologists at a Florida sea turtle rehabilitation facility are using space technology to monitor the recovery of injured animals they’ve treated, with special focus on those missing limbs.

Through a partnership between the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, researchers are studying how sea turtles adapt to life in the ocean after limb amputations using satellite monitoring technology.

On Wednesday, crowds gathered to witness the release of Amelie, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle missing her right front flipper due to what experts believe was a shark attack. After hesitating briefly for about half a minute, the turtle slowly entered the Atlantic waters while spectators applauded.

The Inwater Research Group from Port St. Lucie had brought Amelie to the rehabilitation center seven weeks prior following her traumatic injury. Medical staff performed surgery to repair and seal her wound, and she received treatment for pneumonia during her tank recovery. Once veterinary experts determined she was fit for ocean life, they attached a satellite monitoring device to her shell.

Medical imaging revealed that Amelie is currently developing eggs, providing researchers with additional motivation to monitor her ocean journey.

According to Andy Dehart, the facility’s president and CEO, caring for Amelie held special importance since Kemp’s ridley turtles represent the most endangered sea turtle species and are usually found along Florida’s Gulf waters rather than the Atlantic side.

Sarah Hirsch, research director at Loggerhead, explained that Amelie joins three other amputee sea turtles currently under satellite surveillance. Among them is a three-flippered turtle called Pyari, whose tracking data shows she has swum almost 700 miles since her January release.

“We do know that they can be successful in the wild because we have seen them on our nesting beaches, but we really want to understand their dive behaviors, how they’re migrating once they’re back in the wild,” Hirsch said.

The monitoring equipment features a saltwater sensor that activates when turtles surface for air, sending location information to orbiting satellites. The tracking data becomes available online with a one-day delay, and the public can follow Amelie and other research subjects on the Loggerhead website.

“They’ve been through a lot,” Hirsch said. “They’ve gotten a lot of medical care here, and to see them be able to go back out and contribute to the population is really rewarding.”