TURTLE POINT ARCADES. THE TURTLE FOUND OFF CASAMICCIOLA REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Nerey, the young 24 kg sea turtle found yesterday off the coast of Casamicciola, in the Kingdom of Nettuno marine protected area, by boaters from the island of Ischia, remains in critical condition.

The specimen of Caretta caretta was first reported to the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station and then, through the work of the island’s Coast Guard and the staff of the marine protected area, transferred to the mainland to try to save it. He is currently at the Turtle Point in Portici, one of the largest “hospitals” in Italy for sea turtles, under close observation. All the healthcare staff are trying in every way to help her but the picture is complicated because Nerey was adrift for many days. At the moment the prognosis remains reserved. “The turtle – explains Andrea Affuso, health director of the Turtle Point in Portici – is not very reactive. The conditions are critical and she is currently in a tank dedicated to her. The general clinical conditions are compromised and the renal function also presents problems. She’s definitely been adrift for a long time. At the moment she cannot be operated on. She is under close observation and we will try to do everything to save her but the picture is complicated.” The Nerey turtle arrived at the Portici Turtle Point with several abrasions which attest to the long period adrift at sea without receiving help. “She could have stumbled into some trawl net – hypothesizes the health director Affuso – or perhaps she was caught and then thrown back into the sea without alerting the emergency services. My appeal is to immediately report a sea turtle in difficulty because time is a fundamental factor in saving the lives of highly valuable specimens.”