He was floating on the surface, struggling, with a fish hook stuck in his mouth and a can dragged behind him. A disconcerting image of a young sea turtle Caretta caretta, which cannot help but draw attention to the invisible threats that put the lives of marine animals at risk every day, starting from wild or carelessly managed fishing.
The turtle was spotted in the waters in front of Maccarese beach, on the Lazio coast, by some people who immediately reported its presence to the Coast Guard. Thanks to the intervention of the TartaLazio regional network, the young Caretta caretta was recovered and transferred to the Zoomarine first aid center for sea turtles.
The race against time began there. The animal had ingested a longline hook that remained hooked to the corner of the labial, connected to a line that ended with a floating tank, probably used as a marker for a fishing line. A dramatic situation: the turtle, already injured, risked no longer being able to feed itself properly and could suffer infections, debilitation and death.
Fortunately the intervention was timely. The veterinarians managed to remove the hook and the turtle underwent diagnostic tests and the necessary therapies. Now the little Caretta caretta remains under observation, in the hope that she will recover completely and return to the sea soon.
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Every year numerous sea turtles choose the Italian coasts, including those of Lazio, to lay their eggs. An extraordinary event that tells of the richness of our ecosystems, but also their fragility. For these animals, however, the sea has become an increasingly dangerous place. Among the main threats are fishing hooks and nets, plastic, pollution, habitat loss and the effects of climate change, which is also changing the conditions of the beaches where new generations are born.
Every encounter with a turtle in need can make a difference.
What to do if you find a sea turtle or a nest
If you spot an injured, stranded or distressed sea turtle:
The same attention applies to nests: you must not approach or disturb the animals.
Saving a turtle isn’t just about helping a single individual. It means protecting an ancient species that has crossed the oceans for millions of years and which today also needs our help to continue its journey.
