Maria, a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) that was found sick in Limassol, was released back into the sea after more than two months’ treatment, the fisheries department announced on Thursday.
Maria, who weighs around 87 kilogrammes, was taken to the fisheries department’s marine aquaculture station at Meneou that also operates a sea turtle rescue centre, after it was discovered she was unable to swim or dive. She also had parasites on her skin and shell.
She was found in Limassol last August.
“After careful treatment for more than two months, the turtle was rehabilitated,” the fisheries department said in a written statement.
Maria was released back into the sea at Meneou this week after being examined for her ability to swim, dive and feed herself.
“Her release was a successful one, as the turtle returned, healthy, to the sea, where it belongs,” it said.
It added that the fisheries department is participating in the ‘Life Euroturtles’ programme along with eight other partners, for improving the conservation status of the sea turtle populations of the Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas, which lay their eggs in Cyprus and are species protected under the European Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC.
Last September, another turtle, given the name ‘Eleftheria’ (freedom), was released into the sea at Larnaca after receiving treatment at the same centre.
Each year, around ten sea turtles are found injured and are treated at the Meneou marine aquaculture station before being returned to their natural habitat.
Maria safely back in the sea
The post Sick turtle back home after hospital stay appeared first on Cyprus Mail.
Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2018/11/01/sick-turtle-back-home-after-hospital-stay/
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου