“Big Chill”

Juvenile Green Sea Turtle

 
In January 2010, an endangered green sea turtle was rescued in the Mosquito Lagoon along with hundreds of others.  On January 18, the turtle was transported to Disney's Animal Kingdom for further care. It had received an eye injury during the massive cold-stunning event. After receiving veterinary treatment,  “Big Chill” was released in Eddy Creek along the southern reach of the Mosquito Lagoon on March 2, 2010 and we will be monitoring it's movements. Since very little scientific information exists on the life history of green sea turtles, a small satellite transmitter was placed on it's shell, in collaboration with Dr. Alan Bolten of the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research at the University of Florida. A sonic tag was also placed on it's shell, in collaboration with Jane Provancha of NASA. There are a series of sonic tag readers from Cape Canaveral to Ft. Pierce.  This will give us a closer look at what this little guy is doing if (s)he stays within the coastal inlets.
Big Chill's Movements - March 2010

Big Chill’s Diary

March 2, 2010
After about a month and a half of rehab, Big Chill is released in the Mosquito Lagoon near Titusville.   The first transmissions from his transmitter indicate that he already moved a couple of miles into the lagoon.

March 3-4, 2010
Big Chill moved 14 miles north!

March 5-7, 2010
Big Chill is making his way back south.

March 10, 2010
We lost track of Big Chill for a couple of days but it looks like he is still hanging out in the same area.

March 13, 2010
Big Chill has swum about 5 miles north.

March 18, 2010
Big Chill has swum about 1.5 miles south.

March 20, 2010
Big Chill has continued moving south - about 5 miles.

March 23, 2010
Big Chill's transmitter is no longer sending us data, but the information we received is very valuable as we study the swimming patterns of juvenile green sea turtles.  Happy swimming to Big Chill and thanks for letting us tag along on your adventures!