Hola! Mi nombre es Cuperina III. My generous friends at Cobre Panama gave me my name and they’re supporting me on my long journey from the beaches of Panama to my foraging grounds! If we’re being honest, I’m lucky to have even made it off the beach, as illegal hunting of turtles is still a problem where I’m from. During the nesting season, turtle hunters comb the beaches at night looking for nesting females like me. Often, they will wait until we’ve deposited our eggs, then, they take us both. Why you ask? In many coastal communities, especially in Central America and Asia, sea turtles provide a source of food. Additionally, people may use other parts of the turtle for products, including the oil, cartilage, skin and shell. My friends at the Sea Turtle Conservancy are committed to making sure this doesn’t happen so they patrol the beach every night during nesting season and also employ guards to help protect the nesting beaches. Please help my cause by cheering me on in the Tour de Turtles. Adios for now!

I was named by my Sponsor, Cobre Panamá. Check out my marathon migration map, where you can follow along as I swim to raise awareness about the threat of Adult Harvest for Consumption to sea turtles. Please help me raise awareness about my cause by supporting me!

Learn more about leatherback sea turtles.