Varazze. Specimen of Caretta Caretta rescued off the coast of Varazze.
Around 12.30 this morning, a yachtsman found a specimen of Caretta caretta floating about a mile from the coast off Varazze. Believing he was in difficulty, he transported him to shore and notified the Port Authority of Varazze, who took him over and transported him to the turtle recovery center of the Aquarium of Genoa.
It is important to remember that sea turtles are protected species on which private citizens should not intervene directly for the protection of both. In similar cases, anyone who spots a specimen in difficulty must immediately alert the Port Authority (by calling 1530) which will intervene and, in consultation with the experts of the Genoa Aquarium, will evaluate the actual need for intervention.
The turtle, a sub-adult specimen of about 44 kilos, about 67 centimetres long and 64 wide, was taken in by the veterinary medical staff of the facility who carried out all the necessary checks and diagnostic tests. From an initial check, the specimen was found to be in good condition, with no lesions, wounds or hooks, fishing lines or foreign bodies in the first part of the oral cavity. For further information, it is necessary to wait for the results of the x-rays, blood tests and swabs carried out.
At the moment the specimen has been placed in one of the curatorial tanks not visible to the public dedicated to the turtle rescue activity where it has immediately swum without particular problems. The aquarium’s aquariological and veterinary medical staff will continue monitoring its health status in the coming days.
The turtle first aid activity is carried out in agreement with the Coast Guard, as part of the activities envisaged by the memorandum of understanding in force between the Maritime Directorate of Liguria and the Aquarium which has the objective of defining and managing the principles of intervention in the event of reporting, sighting or discovery of specimens of marine fauna injured or in difficulty, as well as with the common intention of relaunching, on every favorable occasion, a message of maximum environmental sensitivity to stimulate sea users to a radical cultural change aimed at maximum respect for the marine environment.
