Sea turtles tracked by satellite in Cyprus

In June 2026, researchers from the Mediterranean Turtle Research and Conservation Society (MedTRACS), in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, successfully fitted satellite transmitters to two nesting female sea turtles at Lara Bay, Cyprus. The subjects, a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), were named Andrea and Lara. Andrea was named after Andreas Dimitropoulos, the founder of the Cyprus Sea Turtle Conservation Programme, while Lara takes its name from the beach itself, a critical breeding site in the Levant.

This project marks the first time that satellite telemetry has been used to track turtles nesting on the island in real time. The data gathered will provide essential insights into their migration routes, foraging grounds, and the environmental threats they encounter across the Mediterranean. By monitoring these movements, scientists aim to develop more effective conservation measures for the species as they cross international maritime borders. The tracking information is also being made accessible to the public, allowing for broader engagement with this conservation effort.