Satellite tracking technology has helped researchers learn more about the early life of sea turtles, a phase once called the “lost years.” For a long time, scientists did not know where young turtles went after hatching. They disappeared into the open ocean and only returned to coastal waters years later. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B has revealed new details about this hidden stage of their lives.

Over ten years, marine scientists attached GPS trackers to 114 young turtles, including endangered species like green turtles, loggerheads, hawksbills, and Kemp’s ridleys. The study, conducted in the Gulf of Mexico, challenged the old belief that young turtles simply drift with ocean currents. By comparing their movements to drifting buoys, researchers found that many turtles actively swam against the current, showing they had more control over their migration than previously thought. These findings are important for marine conservation. By understanding where young turtles go, experts can identify threats such as pollution and fishing. The tracking devices used were lightweight and solar-powered, staying on for weeks or months before falling off naturally as the turtles grew. This solved past problems with long-term tracking. The research highlights the need for more investment in tracking technology to protect these vulnerable turtles and improve conservation efforts worldwide.