A critically endangered turtle species in the Solomon Islands is being tracked in order to extend it's lifespan.
A scientist from Nature Conservancy, Richard Hamilton, said the Hawksbill turtle's migration patterns were being monitored across the south Pacific.
He said this was to gain an understanding of the reptile's nesting habitats, and make sure it was safe from poaching.
Hawksbill sea turtle Photo: World Wildlife Fund
He said the turtles were often killed for their shells and exported overseas.
"Countries like the Solomon Islands still have a lot of turtle harvesting, both legal and illegal," he said.
"The information has given us a really good understanding of whether or not those turtles are actually sufficently protected by that area during the nesting period. And if we see alot of turtles spending a considerable amount of time outside the protected areas then we have a strong case for expanding the protected area boundaries"
