 Part 3: Philos
On August 14, 1997, we captured a second animal at the
West Bank. She was inviting divers to scratch her on the neck during their
dive. She has sought out divers for a scratch since her capture, and attachment
of radio and satellite transmitters.
Testosterone levels indicated that Philos is a female loggerhead
sea turtle. We have also plotted her movements, according to the satellite
transmissions. We have not heard from her via the radio transmitter since
her capture. She may not be staying quite so close to the West Bank as Triton. |
Future research
We plan to continue tracking Triton's movements, as well
as his progression through puberty, by recapturing him when we have an opportunity.
We shall also be looking forward to attaching satellite transmitters to
other subadult or adult sea turtles at the Flower Gardens.
You can follow Triton and Philos' movements as well as
other sea turtles at the web site:
http://www.cccturtle.org |
Acknowledgements
This project has been funded and supported by the following
sources: Dr. Richard Byles, Dr. Pamela Plotkin, Gulf of Mexico Foundation,
Gray's Reef NMS, Gulf Reef Environmental Action Team, Margaret Cullinan
Wray Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, NOAA, Rinn Boats, Inc., Allen Academy,
Rock Prairie Elementary School, Sea Grant College Program, Texas A&M
University Dept. of Biology and Texas Gulf Coast Council of Dive Clubs.
Many individuals have given their time and talents generously to this project,
including: Dr. Steve Gittings, Dr. Dave Owens, Joel Hickerson, Jeff Childs,
Dr. Ken Deslarzes, Rhonda Patterson, Kris Kichler, Christy Pattengill, and
the Captains, divemasters, and crew of Rinn Boats, Inc. |
