(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 16 - Four sea turtles were released back
into the sea off the coast of Ischia on World Sea Turtle Day on
Friday following treatment and rehabilitation at the Turtle
Point in Portici, Naples
Rainbow, a young turtle weighing about 18 kg, had arrived in
Portici from the first aid center on the Aeolian island of
Filicudi after being rescued by yachtsman with an injured front
flipper that is destined to remain a stump.
"Fortunately, sea turtles have shown that they can survive well
with only three flippers, so we are confident that Rainbow will
return happily to all her activities," said Andrea Affuso,
coordinator of the Turtle Point in Portici.
Fusion suffered a similar injury after becoming entangled in a
fishing line and had to have a flipper amputated.
"At 14 kg, she is still a young turtle and has a long way to
go," said Affuso.
The turtles were released with the support of staff from the
Kingdom of Neptune marine protected area, at a point far from
the busiest shipping routes in the Bay of Naples.
Photo: Turtles being released off the island of Ventotene in
June 2021. (ANSA).
Four turtles released off Ischia for World Sea Turtle Day
Injured reptiles had been treated at Turtle Point in Portici