Follow FeeBee and Milton

Follow FEEBEE and MILTON -

Loggerhead sea turtles Milton (male ) and FeeBee (female) hatched on Boca Raton’s beaches July 2002. They were both part of the on going gender determination study at Florida Atlantic University. Milton and FeeBee were raised for the past 6 years at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and released November 6, 2008. Before their release a satellite tracking tag was attached to each turtle. This is first time a pair of captive raised juvenile loggerhead sea turtles have been released with satellite tags. New and valuable data are collected as each day passes. Adopt FeeBee or Milton to become part of this historic occasion.


FeeBee and Milton's last transmitted locations.


FeeBee


FeeBee- with satellite tag ready for release (left). FeeBee's last transmitted location (right)

FeeBee hatched from her nest in July 2002 in Spanish River Park, Florida. FeeBee’s nest was washed over by several storms. Only 16 of the 94 eggs from FeeBee's nest survived to hatch. Nine of the hatchlings that emerged from the nest were stolen and taken from the beach. Of the remaining seven hatchlings in the nest, only one survived: FeeBee. Since the day she hatched, FeeBee has called Gumbo Limbo home, first at the FAU marine lab as part of a gender ratio study, then, at three months of age, she moved just 50 feet away from the lab to spend quality time with Dr. Kirt Rusenko, the marine conservationist at the Nature Center. Recently, FeeBee was featured in a motion picture, "Turtle: The Incredible Journey" which is reportedly due for release 2010. Feebee's 6-plus year stay at Gumbo Limbo has been eventful and educating. Good luck Feebee!


**SPECIAL UPDATE! Seven months after FeeBee's release finds her off the south Georgia coast, along the western edge of the Gulf Stream. This is an area frequented by juvenile and adult loggerheads, both male and female, during the winter months. It is exciting to see that she is apparently behaving similarly to others of her species. The western edge of the Gulf Stream is a productive frontal zone (read: a potentially good feeding or foraging area--one of her favorite activities while still in captivity!). This area also provides provides warm waters to help FeeBee survive the cold winter months. We are excited to see where FeeBee will go once spring and summer set in--our prediction is that she will move closer to shore as coastal waters warm. Stay tuned and check back regularly to see if our predictions come true!


*FeeBee’s transmitter has not sent a strong signal since 12-18-2009. It seems the batteries have given out or FeeBee has grown large enough for the transmitter to drop off. Best wishes FeeBee, have an amazing journey!

Milton

Milton- with satellite tag ready for release (left). Milton's last transmitted location (right)

Milton's nest was laid in front of a large beachfront condominium in Boca Raton, FL on May 19, 2002. Milton was among 102 other turtles (of 118) that hatched from his nest on July 14, 2002. Since the day he hatched, Milton has called Gumbo Limbo Nature Center home, first at the FAU marine lab as part of a gender ratio study. At three months of age, he moved just 50 feet away from the lab to spend quality time with Nature Center visitors and Dr. Kirt Rusenko, the marine conservationist at the Nature Center. Milton's 6-plus year stay at Gumbo Limbo has been eventful and educating. Good luck Milton!

*Milton’s transmitter has not sent a strong signal since 1-28-2009. We wish you well Milton. There is a possibility the transmitter could be damaged; the antenna may have been knocked off or barnacles could have grown over the contacts. We may still hear from Milton again, keep checking back.

The satellite tags may function for as longs as a year. Please note: Milton and FeeBee's tag transmits every other day, so updates will only be available every other day. Please be patient!

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