Another recovered sea turtle has left the sea turtle rescue centre in Mali Lošinj. This morning we gathered at the Veli žal beach to release Apox, a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) found on January 12th this year in the port of Mali Lošinj.

It was received due to a deep injury in the axillary region that is presumed to have been caused by an entanglement in a net or in the marine litter. These animals get tangled in nets, rope and other floating rubbish that had been thrown away. Unable to free themselves, it is easy for them to suffocate or die from exhaustion. Apox was lucky to be spotted on time and taken to a sea turtle rescue centre where he was given the help needed. Because of the location and depth of the wound, a long and uncertain recovery was expected. Now, after months of treatment and care at our rescue centre, Apox was ready to return to the sea.

Apox: its first minutes after release

Apox: enjoying first moments back in the sea

 

Beside the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union in the implementation of the “Collective Actions for Improving the Conservation Status of EU Sea Turtle Populations” project (LIFE EUROTURTLES), the improvement of conditions for sea turtle recovery is co-financed by the project “Improvement and Increase of Sea Turtle Rescue Centre Capacity”, funded from the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion of European Structural and Investment Funds (KK.06.5.2.04.0004).

 

Many thanks to Felix and Louise from Mali Lošinj for wonderful underwater records.