Mepa tracking Vicky and Zeus along the Mediterranean

They might have left Malta together last month, but marine turtles Vicky and Zeus soon went their separate ways. Although the two stayed together for a while, Vicky soon started going west while Zeus took to the east of the Mediterranean.

The two were released on July 25 after having satellite transmitters attached to their shells as part of a year-long exercise by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) to identify important areas of migration and feeding of turtles.

Vicky and Zeus had been treated at the San Luċjan rehabilitation centre after coming across problems at sea.

Vicky lost her front limb when she got entangled in fishing lines. She was collected by Mepa officials after ending up in a reverse osmosis plant and taken to the centre, where she was found to have a hook stuck in her mouth. Zeus had swallowed some plastic material.

The satellite transmitters attached to Vicky's and Zeus's carapace are allowing Mepa to track the two turtles' journey. A spokesman for the authority said since turtles spend most of their life at sea below the surface, and tend to migrate long distances, understanding their movements is not a simple task.

For decades, the main tool used for tracking was flipper tagging, but recent technical advancements and the use of satellite transmitters have increased the global knowledge of marine turtle migration, the spokesman added.

"Satellite transmitters yield data that cannot otherwise be obtained. Through satellite tags, it has been possible to detail the post-reproductive migration routes of adult turtles and to ascertain the location and use of foraging grounds in both neritic and pelagic areas and of juvenile sea turtles."

People are asked to contact Mepa or call 9921 0404 with any information about turtles in distress.