Caretta caretta released into sea after treatment in Turkey’s west

ÇANAKKALE – Anadolu Agency

A caretta caretta, which was treated in Istanbul after it had been found off the Gökçeada Island in the northwestern province of Çanakkale, has been released back to the sea. 

The caretta caretta, named Özgür (meaning “Free” in Turkish), received a six-month treatment at the Istanbul Aquarium Sea Turtles Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in collaboration with the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMU). 

The animal was brought on June 6 to the ÇOMU Sea Turtles Research and Application Center (DEKUM) in Çanakkale’s Güzelyalı village before being set free. 

Veterinary doctor Murat Mirzaoğlu said the sea turtle got injured after being hit by a boat and had broken bones in its head. 

“The sea turtle was our guest at the center for six months. Now it is very healthy and we are happy that we treated an endangered animal,” Mirzaoğlu said. 

ÇOMU DEKUM director Şükran Yalçın Özdilek said the turtle was a female, adding, “Here we take care of animals as part of a protocol between the Nature Protection and the National Parks General Directorate. As our opportunities are limited, we got in touch with the Istanbul Aquarium and they did not refuse us. The animal was treated there. Özgür recovered in six months and we decided to release it especially when the weather has been getting warmer. She is free now.” 

Following the speeches, the turtle was left on the sand. After waiting for a while, the caretta caretta returned to its natural environment.