According to Bob’s 11-day check-in, the special turtle’s journey is still on track. Thanks to a tracking update by the Turtle Conservation Centre and a detailed analysis by Talitha Noble, we know exactly what Bob’s first 11 days of freedom have been preoccupied with.
Also read: Footage of Bob’s shuffle back into the big blue and a tracking update
Update two, provided by Talitha Noble:
“It has been 11 days since we said “Bob-voyage,” and our remarkable boy embarked on his big ocean adventure. Bob took it easy the first day or two: slowly moving north, staying a comfortable distance from the shore, and getting stuck in the yummy algae that grow on the muddy coastal stretch between Blythedale and Prince’s Grant. On day three, Bob continued this northward journey (but a little further offshore), crossing the mouth of the Thukela River and entering the most protected part of the uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA).”
According to Noble, Bob meandered upstream for three days across the marine reserve, greeting the black mussel crackers and yellowbelly rockcods that live there.
Bob got a little spring in his shuffle one week after his release and missioned a solid 22 kilometres in two days.
“He applied all his energy as he swam against the current to reach his northernmost point thus far: 28km offshore from Umlalazi Nature Reserve, right on the edge of the almighty Agulhas current. Bob definitely deserved a bit of a reward after all that hard swimming, and a treat was waiting!”
When Bob entered the warm, fast-flowing Agulhas current, the current speed doubled from 0.3 m/s to 1 m/s. Bob continued to move south, away from the coast, about 20 to 40 km offshore.
Bob sped back into the reserve’s fully protected area, past the ancient, tall black coral trees of the uThukela Banks.
On day 10, Bob flew south of the uThukela MPA, past the Dolphin Coast, and into the waters of northern Durban. He has travelled approximately 50 kilometres per day over the last two days.
“Again, we have the privilege of comparing Bob’s tracks with those of a recently released SAAMBR turtle. Just last week, a female loggerhead called Jina sped down the exact Agulhas water slide that Bob is enjoying. Her average speed was 78 km/day, which is a touch more speedy than our boy, but Bob’s chilled approach is one of the many things we love about him.”
Even though they were in fast-moving water, both turtles stayed close to the continental shelf and didn’t go into the fastest part of the current.
“It is remarkable to watch turtles follow their instincts smartly and gracefully,” Noble writes.
Bob’s statistics:
- Distance travelled: 307 kilometres
- Distance from shore: 40 kilometres
- Water temperature: 27 degrees
- Water Depth: 433 metres
Also read:
Bob released into the wild after 8 year recovery at Two Oceans Aquarium
Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium / Facebook
