Two turtles that have been under rehabilitation at the San Lucjan Tower for the last nine months were yesterday released by Nature Trust (Malta).

The release was made during a non-public event at Ġnejna Bay in the presence of Environment Minister Hose Herrera.

The two turtles released were Esther, a young loggerhead that was found trapped between rocks out of Paradise Bay last October. It had a fishing hook embedded in its mouth with a mass of fishing line coming out.

Its wounds were so severe that the vet had to carry out a partial amputation.

Months of medical treatment meant the turtle was nursed back to health.

Sara, another young loggerhead turtle, was rescued last December offshore near one of the fish farms.

It was malnourished and had an embedded hook and line coming out which caused a lot of internal damage to its mouth. Following months of medical treatment and nourishment, it recovered and was released back to the wild.

Last year, a turtle was recovered with a plastic bag in its stomach which also contained stainless steel bolts

Three other turtles are under rehabilitation and recovering from injuries.

Nature Trust (Malta) appealed to all beach users not to leave litter such as plastic bags on beaches and in the sea. Last year, a turtle was recovered with a plastic bag in its stomach which also contained stainless steel bolts. Furthermore, it appealed to organisers of public events not to release balloons as these too eventually, end up into the sea and are often the cause of cause of turtle deaths.
NTM also appealed to those finding injured turtles out at sea to report the case to the Wildlife Rescue and not pull on any lines coming out of turtles since it can result in a painful death for these animals.

The Emergency number for wildlife rescue is 9999 9505.

Nature Trust is also collecting donations towards medical costs of these injured animals including hedgehogs, bats, chameleons and all other local wildlife.
For further information write to info@naturetrustmalta.org.