It was a busy weekend for the Wildlife Rescue Team Malta, whose volunteers were called into action multiple times, responding to urgent calls across the islands.

The team’s line had been buzzing with reports from as early as 7 AM yesterday, with many calls relating to injured hedgehogs needing assistance. But by midday, the situation became even more critical when reports of not one but two distressed sea turtles came in.

The first call came from Ta' Xbiex, where a turtle had been spotted struggling near the coast. Volunteers immediately rushed to the site and spent an hour searching the area, but unfortunately, the turtle couldn’t be located. They were then forced to leave when another urgent call came in, this time from Gozo.

Joseph Cassar reported a turtle in distress floating at Xwejni Bay. Thankfully, the Wildlife Rescue Team’s Gozo volunteers, with support from Bubbles Dive Centre and fisherman John Agius, quickly located the turtle and brought it safely to land. The turtle, now named Nathalia, was found to have a severe wound on her left front flipper, which was actively bleeding, and damage to her left eye. Immediate first aid was administered to stop the bleeding, and thanks to the cooperation of Gozo Channel, Nathalia was swiftly transported to Malta for further veterinary care. Sadly, while every effort will be made to save her, the chances of saving her injured flipper remain low.

As the team was returning from Cirkewwa with Nathalia, they received a second call: the elusive Ta’ Xbiex turtle had been sighted again, this time at Haywharf. Working alongside the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), volunteers successfully brought the second turtle, now named Axil, to safety. Axil has a partially missing rear left flipper and is currently being assessed by vets for signs of infection and to determine the best course of treatment.

Both turtles are now receiving expert care, thanks to the tireless efforts of Wildlife Rescue Team Malta and their collaborators.

Their remarkable dedication reminds us of the vital importance of marine conservation, and how every call, every volunteer, and every helping hand can make a difference.

Well done to everyone involved in the rescue!