Two Injured Sea Turtles Rescued After Becoming Entangled In Fishing Gear

Two injured sea turtles have been rescued within just 24 hours after becoming entangled in fishing material, Nature Trust Malta’s Wildlife Rescue Team said.

The first turtle, named Gerbulin, was spotted around one kilometre off the coast near Ta’ Marija Cave. Volunteers initially searched for the turtle by boat with assistance from Gnejna Watersports, but were unable to locate it. The caller later spotted Gerbulin again and safely brought the turtle ashore.

Gerbulin was found with fishing line wrapped around a flipper, wounds to its shell and signs of having ingested fishing line. It is now receiving veterinary treatment.

A second turtle, Dominika, was spotted near the Ċirkewwa ferry berthing area early Friday morning. After several hours of searching, she was brought ashore by a member of the public on a jet ski.

Nature Trust urged the public not to remove fishing gear from entangled turtles themselves, but to contact wildlife rescuers immediately on 99999505.

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