Be the first to comment!Turtle rescued off Gozo in 2025 and released after rehab found dead in St Julians
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Nature Trust – FEE Malta – Gozo Section said that it is ”absolutely heartbroken that turtle Nathalia, who was rescued by Gozo volunteers last year on the North coast of Gozo near the salt pans, was found dead on Tuesday in St Julians.
The Gozo Section said ”she had barely been released for 6 months.”
Nature Trust – FEE Malta – Gozo Section said, ”we urge boat drivers to remain vigilant when out on the water, as turtles will come up to the surface to breathe and unfortunately can be struck by boats.”
The Nature Trust – FEE Malta Wildlife Rescue Team reported that after the call was received about a dead turtle two of its volunteers went on site to check and take measurements, and once there, they confirmed that the turtle was microchipped.
Upon checking the microchip number, it was confirmed the turtle was Nathalia.
Nathalia had arrived to with the Wildlife Rescue Team on 27th April 2025, with a severe injury to her front left flipper from a boat propeller strike.
The flipper needed immediate amputation, but over the following months, Nathalia had adapted well to swimming with a missing flipper, and was released on the 20th of December.
The team said that ”unfortunately, it looks like her cause of death could be another boat injury.”
Nathalia is at the rehab centre, to await a necropsy to confirm 100% the cause of death.
Nature Trust – FEE Malta Wildlife Rescue Team said, ”we’re so saddened by this. After months of rehabilitation and adaptation, being released back is the ultimate goal…..only to have humans cause another injury, this time fatal.”
”Rest easy Nathalia, we’re sorry we (humans) have let you down.”
All the animals we rescue are protected species and it is illegal in Malta to keep them as pets. NTM said that its volunteers have wildlife handling permits and training as well as equipment in order to rescue these creatures.
If anyone spots any of the wild animals that they rescue injured or in danger, please call the Wildlife Rescue Team on 99999505.
Photos: NTM
