Researchers from the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment (ASE) team released two loggerhead sea turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort yesterday as part of the 12th annual Tour de Turtles “migration marathon.”
Tour de Turtles is a fun, educational journey that follows the migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their feeding ground. Each female loggerhead turtle swims to raise awareness about one of the threats that sea turtles face each day.
Through the use of satellite telemetry, STC will track Ariel and Ursula – named after characters in Disney’s animated film The Little Mermaid – to determine how far the sea turtles swim. The one to swim the furthest distance wins.
Ursula is sponsored by the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) and will swim to raise awareness about the threat of plastic debris. Ariel, co-sponsored by Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team, will swim to raise awareness about the threat of light pollution.
The data collected during Tour de Turtles helps researchers, conservationists and governing agencies make more informed decisions about sea turtle conservation methods and policies.
Since the launch of the event in 2008, STC and Disney have partnered to study 20 loggerhead sea turtles outfitted with satellite transmitters and released from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, which is less than a two-hour drive from Walt Disney World. The Disney Conservation Fund has also directed more than $3.5 million to help global sea turtle efforts and ensure a healthy population.
In addition to Tour de Turtles, members and guests staying at the Disney Vacation Club resort during this time also have the opportunity to join the team on turtle conservation and outings to observe the sea turtles and learn ways they can get involved.
To learn more and follow the turtles’ migration, visit the Tour de Turtles website at www.tourdeturtles.org.
Have you ever participated in the Tour de Turtles at Disney’s Vero Beach? We have! Click here to check out our 2017 review of the event. And drop us a note to let us know about your own experiences below!
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