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Loggerhead Turtle Monitored Since the 1980s Returns to Nest at Povoação Beach in Linhares, Setting a Historic Conservation Record in Brazil.
The oldest loggerhead turtle nesting in the country was spotted again at Povoação Beach in Linhares, in Northern Espírito Santo. The reunion, on December 2, 2025, consolidates monitoring that began in 1988 and is considered the longest ever documented in Brazil for a marine turtle in reproductive activity.
According to g1 Espírito Santo (published on February 19, 2026) and the Tamar Project Foundation, the female was tagged with a ring in the 1980s and has 37 years of records. This marks a significant achievement for marine conservation, confirming these turtles’ fidelity to their birthplace, a behavior known as philopatry.
Biologist Alexsandro Santos, a researcher at the Tamar Project Foundation and coordinator of research and conservation in Espírito Santo, explains that this is the oldest record of a female still nesting along the Brazilian coast. To reduce stress during the activity, technicians use red light, which interferes less with the animal’s behavior.
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Brazilian Record, 37 Years of Records and Return to the Same Nesting Site
Initially tagged in 1988, the female has been reencountered seven more times over the decades, making this the eighth confirmed recapture. Researchers emphasize that this does not mean she came to the beach only on these occasions, as there are seasons when the animal can go unnoticed even with nightly patrols.
Over nearly 40 years, the turtle has been recaptured in the same region of Linhares, which reinforces the fidelity to the nesting site typical of Caretta caretta. According to the Tamar team, part of this individual’s shell is damaged, which prevented the exact measurement of length and made it impossible to estimate weight this season.
Estimated Age, Reproductive Cycle, and Nesting Numbers of the Loggerhead Turtle
Researchers estimate that the female may be over 60 years old. Loggerhead turtles start reproducing around 25 years of age, and the 37 years of records suggest that this animal is closer to the end of her reproductive period. According to Alexsandro Santos, she is already nesting alongside her daughters and possibly granddaughters.
Each season, the species nests three to eight times, averaging five nests per female. Each nest usually contains about 120 eggs, and on average, 90 hatchlings emerge. The species can reach up to 1.23 meters in shell length and weigh between 150 and 200 kg, according to the literature cited by Tamar.
How Many Eggs and Hatchlings Has This Female Produced
Considering 19 potential reproductive seasons over 37 years, the estimate points to approximately 11,400 eggs laid by this same female. From this total, around 8,550 hatchlings may have hatched, taking into account the average of 90 births per nest.
Survival, however, is the toughest stage. The natural rule indicates that only 1 to 2 in every 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. In this scenario, the contribution of this single female may have ensured between 8 and 17 adults over nearly four decades, illustrating why each reproductive female is so valuable.
Monitoring Methodology, Limitations, and Why Each Female Counts in Conservation
For the Tamar researcher, this case symbolizes the value of the mark and recapture method maintained for decades. Even with teams patrolling the beach every night, there are variations in the interval between nesting and movements that can hinder some records, as well as factors such as the need for the female to accumulate energy to migrate and form eggs.
In areas monitored by the Tamar Project Foundation in Bahia, Sergipe, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo, an average of 11,000 loggerhead turtle nests per year is recorded. The organization emphasizes that this number refers to nests, not to individuals in the sea, highlighting knowledge gaps and the importance of continued monitoring.
Migration Route and Knowledge Gaps About the Population in the Oceans
In the case of this female, the feeding area is still unknown. Telemetry studies cited by Tamar indicate that females reproducing in Espírito Santo usually migrate after the season, but the exact destinations vary and depend on multiple environmental factors.
Regarding the size of the global population, Alexsandro Santos himself summarizes it as the “million-dollar question.” There are indications of population recovery, with the species moving from threatened to vulnerable, but precise estimates remain inaccurate. The situation in Espírito Santo, however, offers a sign of hope based on long-term data.
Share Your Opinion The protection of nesting beaches must be expanded even if it restricts nighttime activities and lighting on the waterfronts. Or can tourism and fishing coexist without new rules? Tell us in the comments if you think measures such as the use of red light and intensive monitoring are sufficient or if it’s time to tighten enforcement further.
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