The story of a Caretta caretta sea turtle that was the victim of abandoned fishing gear in Sardinian waters has ended happily.

Today, the animal returned to its natural habitat on the beach of Porto Frailis, in the municipality of Tortolì. The turtle was accompanied on its return to the sea by operators from the Arbatax Naval Base of the Forestry Corps, with the support of researchers from the Sinis Recovery Center (CReS).

The rescue story began on July 29th in the waters near Foxi Manna, in the Tertenia marina, when the specimen—with a carapace approximately 50 centimeters long— was spotted seriously entangled in a large ghost net.

The animal was entrusted to CReS researchers for a period of hospitalization and to conduct in-depth clinical tests. The therapeutic process then allowed for a complete recovery, paving the way for the animal's release into the wild.

"The Porto Frailis event," a statement reads, "represented not only the culmination of a highly successful rescue operation, but also a valuable opportunity for environmental education and awareness. On the beach, experts from the Forestry Corps and the CReS explained to the children the biology of sea turtles and the serious dangers associated with pollution and the so-called 'ghost nets,' which continue to fish and suffocate Mediterranean fauna."

(Unioneonline/AD)