Loggerhead sea turtle completes 2,700km journey from Cyprus to Tunisia

A female loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) named Lara has successfully completed a 2,700-kilometre journey across the Mediterranean Sea. The turtle was released from Lara Bay in Cyprus on June 24, 2026, equipped with a satellite transmitter to track her movements after the conclusion of her nesting season. Measuring 78 centimetres in length and 66 centimetres in width, she travelled through the territorial waters of Cyprus, Egypt, and Libya over a period of 120 days.

The scientific project is being monitored by the Tunisian organization Glij to study turtle migration patterns and enhance conservation efforts. In September 2026, Lara reached the Ras Rmel marine reserve on Djerba island. She is currently located in the Bougrara Lagoon, a biodiverse area between Djerba and mainland Tunisia that provides significant food resources for the species. Researchers intend to use the data collected from this journey to better understand and protect the habitats of loggerhead turtles across the Mediterranean region.