Nature Trust (Malta) Wildlife Rescue Team this morning released two loggerhead Turtles after they had been for approximately nine months under rehabilitation at San Lucjan Centre in Marsaxlokk

Monster, a 47kg turtle had been brought in with a hook in the mouth and a nylon fishing line in its intestines. Since the hook had been in the month for a long time an abscess had developed round the wound. On the other hand, the nylon line took almost eight months to come out after daily medication by the Volunteers of the Rehabilitation Unit of Nature Trust (Malta).On the other hand, Neil an eight year old turtle was brought in by a fisherman who found the turtle near Hurds Bank all covered with oil and full of barnacles indicating it has been floating and not eating for a long time. Neil spent 7 months under rehab after being de-oiled and cleaned and placed on vitamins to regain the necessary strength

The release was held at 8.30 am from the Dragunara Hotel Private Beach in St Julian’s witnessed by various VIPs such as the Ambassador of the United States of America and the wife of the British High Commissioner, together with hotel guests and adopters of these two turtles that participated in the Adopt-A-Turtle campaign.

The Adopt-A-Turtle Campaign is a campaign to collect funds that go towards the medication of injured turtles and also towards the Wildlife Rehabilitation Project Fund.

NTM Executive President Mr Vincent Attard thanked all those that that had adopted Neil and Monster for their support and also all the volunteers of the Nature Trust Wildlife Rescue Team for their continuous dedication.

Mr Attard said that Nature Trust is an NGO committed to the protection of Maltese wildlife and over the last few years various marine turtles, hedgehogs, chameleons and bats have been saved. Thanks to Dr. Grupetta and the Rehab Unit, turtles have been rehabilitated to health.

These marine reptiles are often brought ashore suffering from ingested hooks and nylon lines, swallowed plastic bags, being hit by marine vessels or ending up entangled in plastic litter. The NGO is now working towards setting up the first wildlife rehab centre in Malta.

Mr. Attard thanked the Ministry for the Environment for its support, MEPA for their cooperation in the rescue of wildlife, Malta Aquaculture Research Centre for the allocation of an area, tanks and food.

He also gave thanks to the AFM Patrol Boat Unit, the ALE, Animal Welfare Department, fishermen and members of the public who call NTM to report injured turtles. A special thanks also goes to the Dragonara Hotel for hosting the event.

Finally, Mr. Attard appealed to all to report any injured turtles or dolphins that may be spotted at sea either to MEPA or to the Nature Trust Malta wildlife Rescue Team on Mobile 99999505.

MEPA official Ms Carmen Mifsud spoke about the MEPA Life Project Migrate. This is a transnational EU project which is compiling important data on turtle and dolphin sightings in the Mediterranean Region. Such data would be important for research purposes and to give a clear picture where turtle injuries could occur. Ms. Mifsud asked everyone to report any sightings to further make this project a success.

Dr. Gruppetta spoke of how he had started the turtle rehabilitation programme in 1999 as he nourishes a special interest for turtles. Dr. Gruppetta stated that since the onset of this programme that has been possible with the help of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change namely the National Aquaculture Centre at Torri San Luciano, the Environment Section of MEPA and Nature Trust (Malta) more than 140 turtles have been released back to their natural environment after undergoing treatment, rehabilitation and, in most cases, surgery.

Turtles are evaluated and according to their situation and condition, a treatment programme is set involving all the therapy that is necessary to get each turtle back to a good state that ensures their survival in the natural environment.

Diagnosis, treatment and surgery are carried out at St Simon Veterinary Clinic by Dr Gruppetta, the staff of the clinic and volunteers from Nature Trust (Malta). The volunteers from Nature Trust (Malta) continue to dedicate attention to these injured turtles, feed and clean them regularly, as well as administer the therapy set for each individual during their stay at Torri San Luciano.

Thanks were also given to the volunteers of Nature Trust (Malta), the employees of Torri San Luciano, staff at St Simon Veterinary Clinic and MEPA Officials for all their help in the last 15 years. “Without the help of all these people, the turtle rehabilitation programme is not possible and the 140 specimen saved would have succumbed to disease and injury.”

The Minister Leo Brincat – Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change said, “our Ministry together with MEPA is working hard to facilitate the setting up of a Nature Trust Malta Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre with all the facilities for caring of local injured species. This project will also be geared to help such wildlife in case of an oil spill. Meanwhile everything is being done to help Nature Trust Malta obtain EU funding for such a venture.”

Minister Brincat praised Nature Trust Malta for having cared for turtles over the last 22 years while safeguarding their protection in Maltese waters.

He appealed to the general public to curb throwing of litter into the sea as this will lead to further marine pollution while jeopardising turtles’ well being. One now hopes that after this ordeal the two turtles will continue on a safe journey possibly to nest in the Mediterranean shores.

Marine Turtles are protected animals and in danger of extinction.

Photos: Monster and Neil

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