Cheetah, a 15 year old turtle that was found at sea struggling to survive after it ingested plastic litter, was released back into the sea at Gnejna Bay.

She is the first turtle to be released this summer following successful rescue and recovery, a further 5 turtles are expected to be released later in the year. Last year 8 were released.

Cheetah had been found on the water surface struggling to dive on the 15th of December last year. She was rescued and treated at the rehabilitation centre where she was found to be suffering from an inflamed plastron and ingested plastic. She was treated for the inflammations and has now fully recovered.

The Wildlife Rehab Centre Project is operated by Nature Trust Malta – FEE, with the financial support of the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), which sponsors the rehabilitation of injured wildlife and works closely with the eNGO on several other environmental initiatives.

NTM President CEO Vince Attard appealed to the public to keep beaches clean and plastic free. “Plastic pollution is on the increase and is badly effecting us and marine life. We also appeal to boat owners to drive carefully as boats hit several turtles in the Maltese waters and such incidents have been noted to be on the increase.”

ERA said that it is constantly working to safeguard Malta’s marine environments, through several initiatives, including the designation of over 35% of Maltese waters designated and has also increased marine enforcement and monitoring of sensitive sites at sea, assuring compliance on all marine related projects.

Photos: ERA

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