Mama
Onu migrates to Fiji
After weeks of steadily swimming westward, Palmerston's Mama Onu
reached her feeding grounds on 01 April, 2001. Mama Onu swam a
total of 2148km in fifty-two days to reach Vatulele Island, Fiji.
'Friends:
Yes, indeed, this is the turtle's Home Sweet Home- Vatulele
Island, Fiji.
May she graze the Fijian seagrass in peace after her long
ocean voyage and successful nestings in the warm sands of
Palmerston. May her baby hatchlings help to repopulate all
the waters of the Pacific- for the benefit of the species
and the Pacific Island peoples. May she live and thrive long
enough to once again migrate back to Palmerston to breed in
coming years. Aloha,
George'
George
Balazs , 03 April, 2001
Mama
Onu is the first turtle from the Cook Islands which has been satellite
tracked. Knowing her path westward offers us the first glimpse of
the migratory pathways of Cook Islands turtles. Her long migration
demonstrates that green turtles of the Cook Islands are shared
resources which need to be protected internationally.
Close-up
of Mama Onu's track as of 13 March. Notice that she paused in
Tonga for a few days on her way west. Mama Onu's tag will continue
to transmit her position as she forages around Vatulele Island,
Fiji until the batteries wear out. She probably will remain
feeding there for several years before returning to Palmerston
to nest again. However, she may surprise us yet!
Mama
Onu's maps were generated by Denise Parker and George Balazs
of the NOAA/NMFS Honolulu
Laboratory. Mama Onu's location data were received from
the satellite transmitter mounted on her shell.
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©
Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation, 2004
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