The magnificent Caretta caretta sea turtle, rescued last July off Cala Luna, returned to swimming freely in Cala Gonone yesterday. The animal, spotted by a boater in obvious distress, immediately triggered the rescue effort.
The report activated the entire intervention network dedicated to the protection of sea turtles, a species sadly threatened with extinction. The Port Authority alerted biologists from the Cala Gonone Aquarium, who immediately assisted the animal, and the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, which, in turn, contacted the Oristano CReS.
The animal was recovered by Blon in Siniscola and transferred to the Duemari veterinary clinic in Oristano, where it was identified as a male and subjected to a CT scan. Tests revealed old, now-healed fractures on its carapace and right flipper, as well as signs of early drowning, likely caused by entanglement in a fishing net. Despite this, its nutritional status was found to be generally good.
After initial clinical checks, the turtle was transferred to CReS for a period of rehabilitation and monitoring. Over the weeks, it gradually regained all its vital functions: correct buoyancy in the water, regular movements, the ability to rest on the bottom of the tank, and independent feeding. Only once the recovery process was complete was it possible to schedule its release into the sea , which took place yesterday in the presence of the biologists and operators involved.
The rescue is part of the activities of the Regional Network for the Conservation of Marine Fauna, coordinated by the Regional Department for Environmental Protection, which involves Marine Protected Areas, National Parks, the Forestry Corps, the Coast Guard, and numerous regulatory agencies. As always, the contribution of fishermen, citizens, boaters, and coastal workers, who are often the first to report animals in distress, has been crucial.
In Cala Gonone, the Aquarium plays a key role: since its opening, the team of biologists has assisted numerous injured specimens, housing them in curative tanks while awaiting transfer to specialized centers.
(Unioneonline/vf)
