Turtle Rescued in Torrevieja with Amputated Flipper and Hook in Esophagus

A loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) that had been swimming trapped in the port of Torrevieja for nearly a month has been rescued and admitted to the Arca del Mar at the Oceanogràfic in Valencia for recovery.

The operation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of biologists and veterinarians from the Oceanogràfic of Valencia, the municipal biologist of the Torrevieja City Council, Juan Antonio Pujol, and with the collaboration of staff from the Real Club Náutico.

The rescue operation was "meticulously planned" upon observing the turtle's continued presence in the port where it fed on fishing activity discards. Additionally, biologists detected changes in its behaviour, indicating that its health condition might be compromised.

The operation was conducted using techniques that minimized the animal's stress. Two divers from the Oceanogràfic Foundation, assisted by a third on the surface, managed to capture the turtle, ensuring a safe and respectful procedure for the turtle's welfare.

Nuca, as the turtle is named, is a 58-kilogram female with a previously amputated right front flipper and was immediately transferred to the facilities of the Arca del Mar at the Oceanogràfic in Valencia.

Upon arrival, veterinarians also detected a hook in its esophagus. After an initial assessment, they removed the hook and began clinical monitoring to evaluate its progress.

Over the coming weeks, the Oceanogràfic team will conduct "constant" monitoring of the specimen to assess its recovery and enable its return to the sea.

With this rescue, the Oceanogràfic reaches the milestone of 900 turtles attended to since its inception, consolidating the role of the Valencia aquarium and its Foundation as a centre for the conservation and rehabilitation of marine species.