Just a few days after the release of a Caretta caretta sea turtle on the coast of Tortolì-Arbatax, a timely intervention by the Arbatax Naval Base of the Forestry and Environmental Protection Corps allowed the saving of another specimen of the same species that was at risk of dying from suffocation or exhaustion.
The alarm was raised on July 29th when a tourist reported to the Arbatax Coast Guard the presence of a turtle in serious distress in the waters of Foxi Manna, off the Tertenia coast. Upon receiving the report, the Coast Guard immediately activated the Naval Forestry Corps Base, enabling the rescue operation.
Upon arriving on the scene, officers found the animal completely wrapped in a drifting fishing net. The nylon was entangled around its neck, both front flippers, and its carapace, almost completely impeding its movement and making it extremely difficult to surface for air. This situation, if continued for any longer, would have had fatal consequences.
The turtle was recovered and transported to the Arbatax Naval Base, where Forestry Corps officers, assisted by a veterinarian from the Local Health Authority, proceeded to free it from the net. This particularly delicate operation required the removal of numerous nylon wrappings that had been constraining the animal's body. At the end of the operation, the sea turtle had some superficial abrasions and was clearly severely stressed, although its general condition appeared encouraging.
After initial treatment, Caretta caretta was placed in the initial reception tank set up for this purpose.
(Unioneonline)
