Starting today, users of Google Earth 5 can follow the migration of the Pacific leatherback sea turtle across the ocean, tracking their movements over time in an interactive, 3-D ocean world! A number of researchers at Tagging of Pacific Predators, led by Stanford University’s Barbara Block, (one of our Great Turtle Race partners) worked with Google to share the data. Once users find a leatherback, they can even “swim along” from a leatherback’s “eye view.” The tracking data–which can be viewed under the “animal tracking” Ocean layer also includes, tuna, sharks, whales, seals, and other marine life.
For a hint on where to find leatherbacks this time of year, try the South Pacific Gyre. What’s that? Well… you might learn something in the process!
