`Bermudiana', the Green turtle, has almost reached the Dominican Republic in a 40-day migration monitored by experts with the Bermuda Turtle Project.

The exciting news comes just days after a vicious attack on Green turtles at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo which upset the BTP coordinator and other staff.

The 68 kilogram turtle was captured in seagrass northwest of Bermuda on August 5 and released four days later.

It was fitted with a transmitter attached to its shell that only broadcasts its position when the reptile comes to the surface for air.

Researchers who are part of the 30-year-old project receive updates to `Bermudiana' and two other turtles' movements via satellite and e-mail every few days and the coordinates are mapped electronically.

The satellite reports also include the average number and duration of dives, and the duration of the last dive, and the water temperature.

The transmitter is expected to fall off after eight to 12 months.

The project is a joint venture between the Aquarium and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation.

`Bermudiana' has made a bee-line almost due south to the Caribbean country and is certain to enter the Caribbean sea -- unless a predator, man or beast gets to her first.

The study will allow researchers to tell whether immature turtles leave Bermuda on deliberate tracks or are at the mercy of the currents.

The ancestors of `Bermudiana' have made the migratory travels for at least 150 million years and spend most of their lives at sea, only returning to land to breed.

At present the turtles use the Island and its waters as nurseries, and arrive at about 25 centimetres in length and grow to approximately 75 centimetres.

`Bermudiana' was 78 centimetres in length. Experts believe the turtles leave local waters before reaching sexual maturity.

Bermuda has not had a Green turtle nesting population for more than 85 years and turtles found in local waters hatched in the wild as far away as Florida, the Central American coastline, and Suriname.

Meanwhile head aquarist Jennifer Gray said the Aquarium did not anticipate permanent injuries to the six turtles in the road side exhibit but there will be some permanent "nicks and scratches'' to their shell.

She said they had not received any tips as to the culprits but support from the public had been overwhelming.

"It's been a wonderful response,'' she said. "We have come to the conclusion that they are all fine.'' Ms Gray explained the turtles had been at the Aquarium since the 1930's.

GOING SOUTH -- `Bermudiana', the Green turtle, has almost reached the Dominican Republic in a 40-day migration.