Volunteers from the Nature Trust – FEE Malta – Gozo Section have rescued a very weak sea turtle that had been washed up at Ramla Bay in Gozo on Sunday.

The volunteers had been alerted by a family who discovered the the turtle which had a net tightly entangled round its neck and flippers. NTM Gozo Section said that the net had been removed before its volunteer arrived on site.

The family that found the turtle kept it calm with a sea water soaked towel and named the turtle Hope. “Hope is very weak but has been taken over to Malta for veterinary care,” the organisation said.

NTM Gozo Section said that it would like to give “a huge thank you to the Staff of Gozo Channel Operations Limited, both in the terminal and on the Nikolaus ferry.”

The organisation explained that “there was an extremely long car queue and the turtle’s serious condition meant that we couldn’t wait for hours in the queue with the car.”

“The Gozo Channel ferry staff kindly agreed to help our volunteer carry the large heavy box with the Turtle on to the ferry, and off again the other side,” it said.

The organisation said that “Hope was handed over to one of our volunteers in Malta to be taken to the vet. We couldn’t have done it without their help.”

Sea turtles are a protected species in Malta and cannot be harmed or captured. “Our volunteers have wildlife handling permits as well as training and equipment to help these creatures,” the organisation said.

If a member of the public spots a Sea Turtle, or any of the animals that we rescue, injured or in danger please call the Wildlife Rescue Team on 99999505.

“A massive thank you always goes to the public who call us when they notice a wild animal in distress, our vets, and our dedicated rescue and rehabilitation volunteers, Nature Trust said.

Donations are always welcome and can be sent by bank transfer or Revolut transfer on our Wildlife IBAN MT18 VALL 2201 3000 0000 4002 353 8289 , Swift code VALLMTMT.

The Wildlife Rehab Project is supported by the ERA – Environment & Resources Authority and Lottoland Malta.

Photos: NTM – Gozo section

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