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Myrtle the turtle speaks up for her species
March 9, 1998
Myrtle, left, is very responsive and interested in what goes on around her
Web posted at: 6:04 p.m. EST (2304 GMT)By Environmental News Network staff
It may not be possible to teach an old dog new tricks, but researchers at the New England Aquarium have discovered that you can teach them to an old turtle.
Myrtle, a 500-pound, 50ish, green sea turtle, is the centerpiece of a study to learn more about how endangered sea turtles hear in order to devise advanced methods of saving them from things such as fishing nets.
The researchers are using operant conditioning -- a training method used with marine mammals like seals and sea lions -- to encourage behavioral responses through positive reinforcement.
Like giving a dog a biscuit every time it rolls over, Myrtle is given fish, squid or lettuce every time she indicates she has heard a recognizable tone by touching a plastic glass circle.
The researchers say Myrtle is easy to work with because she is very responsive and interested in what goes on around her. Apparently, she is unfazed by all the fuss.
Myrtle has learned to position herself comfortably at a particular station and to stay there until she hears a tone. The researchers send out tones of varying frequencies, and when Myrtle hears one, she touches the plastic glass circle.
"It's been an education working with Myrtle," says Kathy Streeter, the principal investigator. "But the project is challenging. Myrtle is not as agile as a marine mammal. I have learned to be patient and watch carefully for Myrtle's reactions, which are very clear. I never would have thought a turtle would be so opinionated."
In the future researchers hope to determine if sounds can be used to help free-ranging sea turtles avoid fishing nets, a serious threat to turtles in the wild.
Funding for this two-year project comes from an Office of Naval Research grant totaling $120,000.
Copyright 1998, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved
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