7 Animals Rescued By Wildlife Rescue Volunteers During Yesterday's Public Holiday

While much of Malta enjoyed a public holiday, wildlife rescue volunteers had one of their busiest days, with seven animals brought into care across the island.

Nature Trust Malta said that, by late afternoon, its Wildlife Rescue Team had responded to cases involving three sea turtles, two hedgehogs, a chameleon and a bat.

Among the most critical cases was a sea turtle found off Fomm ir-Riħ with fishing line and a hook lodged in its mouth. Named Wade, the turtle is currently in critical condition at the organisation’s rehabilitation centre.

Another large sea turtle rescued in St Paul’s Bay was unable to dive and was heavily covered in algae and barnacles.

Weighing around 70kg, it was transferred into a rehabilitation tank with the help of a crane. A microchip was also discovered, with rescuers now attempting to trace its history.

A third turtle, named Victoria, was rescued in Mellieħa after being found entangled in fishing line around two of its flippers.

The remaining rescues included two hedgehogs, an injured chameleon and a lethargic bat. All seven animals are now receiving care at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Nature Trust thanked its volunteers, vets and members of the public who reported animals in distress.

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