The 7000-km oceanic journey of a leatherback turtle tracked by satellite

A leatherback turtle nesting on a KwaZulu-Natal beach was tracked by satellite for nearly 7000 km during internesting movements, rapid straight transfers and feeding-related movements in the Southern Ocean. Some parts of the track reveal the ability to maintain a straight course in the absence of cues deriving from the coastline or shallow bottoms. Swimming speed and diving behaviour varied in different segments of the journey. The value of satellite telemetry for planning conservation strategies is emphasized.