A loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) returned to the sea after going through a nearly month-long rehabilitation process at the Mundo Marino Foundation following its rescue.
The animal had been rescued on November 5th by an artisanal fisherman who found the reptile trapped in his fishing nets in Samborombón Bay.
The Mundo Marino Foundation has been working with artisanal fishermen for years to teach them how to act and provide first aid to these animals in case of incidental fishing.
Rehabilitation Process after the Sea Turtle Rescue
According to veterinarian Juana Caferri, the turtle came in with a good attitude and showed no signs of drowning. However, it started expelling plastics along with its feces, a common issue in these animals as they mistake their food for marine debris.
Blood tests, ultrasounds, and x-rays were conducted to evaluate its condition before its release.
Effects of Plastic on the Animal
Karina Álvarez, Conservation Manager at the Mundo Marino Foundation, explained that the accumulation of plastic in the digestive tract can produce gas, affecting the turtles’ diving and migration abilities. Additionally, it can cause a feeling of false satiety, altering their nutritional levels. Álvarez emphasized the importance of being responsible with waste on beaches.
About the Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle, according to the IUCN, is classified as “vulnerable”. Many of these turtles come from northeastern Brazil, and females return to nest on the same beach where they were born.
They are distinguished by having 5 costal shields on their carapace and a wide, robust beak. Their diet is carnivorous, feeding on clams, oysters, crabs, sponges, jellyfish, and fish.
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