EXETER, England, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- U.K. scientists say satellite technology has allowed them to track the ocean-spanning journeys of gigantic leatherback turtles in the South Atlantic.
Researchers at the University of Exeter led a five-year study to find out more about these increasingly rare creatures and improve conservation efforts, a university release said Tuesday.
The study has revealed details of the little-known migration behavior of the animals, following their movement from the world's largest breeding colony in Gabon, Central Africa, as they returned to feeding grounds across the South Atlantic.
Three migratory routes were identified as 25 female leatherbacks were tracked, including one route of 4,699 miles straight across the South Atlantic from Africa to South America.
"Despite extensive research carried out on leatherbacks, no one has really been sure about the journeys they take in the South Atlantic until now," Exeter's Matthew Witt said.
"What we've shown is that there are three clear migration routes as they head back to feeding grounds after breeding in Gabon, although the numbers adopting each strategy varied each year," he said.
"We don't know what influences that choice yet, but we do know these are truly remarkable journeys -- with one female tracked for thousands of miles traveling in a straight line right across the Atlantic."
Leatherback turtles in the Pacific Ocean have seen a precipitous decline over the past three decades, blamed on turtle egg harvesting and fishing.
In the Atlantic, conservationists are keen to take action now to avoid a repeat of the Pacific story.
"All of the routes we've identified take the leatherbacks through areas of high risk from fisheries, so there's a very real danger to the Atlantic population," Brendan Godley from Exeter said.
"Knowing the routes has also helped us identify at least 11 nations who should be involved in conservation efforts," he said.
