Trending Now - Satellite Technology Monitors Amputee Kemp's Ridley Turtle at Sea

WHO:

Amelie, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Inwater Research Group in Port St. Lucie, Florida

Andy Dehart, president and CEO of Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Sarah Hirsch, research director at Loggerhead Marinelife Center

WHAT:

Amelie lost her right forelimb to a predator, likely a shark

Amelie was released into the Atlantic Ocean on March 25th, 2026

Amelie underwent surgery to clean and close her wound and was treated for pneumonia

Amelie is the fourth amputee sea turtle being tracked by the Loggerhead Marinelife Center

A three-limbed turtle named Pyari has traveled nearly 700 miles since her release in January 2026

Satellite tags have a saltwater switch that detects when the turtle surfaces to breathe

WHERE:

Juno Beach, Florida

Atlantic Ocean

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Port St. Lucie, Florida

WHEN:

Amelie was rescued seven weeks prior to her release on March 25th, 2026

Amelie was released on March 25th, 2026

Pyari was released in January 2026

WHY:

The collaboration aims to learn how well sea turtles can survive in the wild after losing a limb

An ultrasound confirmed that Amelie is developing eggs, providing another reason to track her movements

Kemp's ridley turtles are the rarest of sea turtle species, making Amelie's treatment significant

HOW:

Satellite tracking devices are used in collaboration between the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Data from the satellite tags appears online after a 24-hour delay

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 13:23 UTC)

Amelie, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was released into the Atlantic Ocean on March 25, 2026, after undergoing surgery for a predator-inflicted injury and treatment for pneumonia at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida. She is the fourth amputee turtle being tracked by the center, which is collaborating with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to study how well these turtles can survive in the wild after losing a limb, especially as Amelie is developing eggs. Satellite tracking devices will monitor her movements, with data becoming available online after a 24-hour delay, while another three-limbed turtle named Pyari has already traveled nearly 700 miles since her release in January 2026.