After being rescued with a fishing line and hook lodged in her stomach a few months ago, 18-year-old turtle Geraldine is well enough to return to the wild.
Eight months ago, an adorable 18-year-old female turtle was rescued off the coast of Marsaxlokk. Lodged inside her stomach, a fishing line and hook were wreaking havoc, and the future looked uncertain.
But this morning, Geraldine, as the turtle was affectionately named, received a second chance at life! Thanks to expert care by Nature Trust Malta’s wildlife team and eight long months of rehabilitation, she was well enough to be released back into the sea.
Egged on by a group of well-wishing onlookers, the plucky turtle was freed at Ramla Bay in Gozo, with photos and video footage documenting the heart-warming moment Geraldine took her first steps into freedom.
Facebook / Peter Mohr Photography
Geraldine is just one of a number of turtles that are rescued and rehabilitated by the non-governmental organisation each year, with the major causes of harm being due to plastic pollution and harmful fishing practises.
Just seeing the joy that seeing this beautiful wild animal being released into its natural habitat brings is enough to make you think twice about how you dispose of your plastic. Let’s all work together to protect these marine creatures – with our help and consideration, loggerhead turtles can live up to 100 years!