Bye-Bye To Bortie; Turtle Participates In Annual Tour De Turtles

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FL -- Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring hosted a picture-perfect sendoff celebration for “Bortie” – a nesting female turtle – for the 11th Annual Tour de Turtles at Coquina Beach on June 19.

Created by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the annual “marathon” event uses satellite telemetry to track the migration of turtles released from beaches in Costa Rica, Panama, Nevis, Anna Maria Island and other parts of Florida.

The turtle that travels the most miles over the three-month period will be announced as the winner of this year’s marathon.This year’s race begins Aug. 1. You can track Bortie's progress by clicking here.

Last year, Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club tagged and released a nesting female loggerhead sea turtle named Eliza Ann for the 10th Annual Tour de Turtles who won first place in the race and second place in “People’s Choice.” You can see her story here.

Through a partnership with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring, the resort supports efforts to maintain a suitable habitat for sea turtles, shorebirds and the island ecosystem through special guest programs, promotions and messaging.

Image via Waterline Marine Resort