Turtle saga continues

AN injured sea turtle set off for the second phase of his rehabilitation in the Canary Islands recently, on July 28.

The turtle was found on a beach near Almeria with severe injuries more than two months ago and has undergone treatment by marine rescue group, Equinac.

The turtle, named Jose, after the first Equinac volunteer at the scene, appeared to have collided with a boat propeller and had sustained damage to his head and shell.

Volunteers and vets worked around the clock to care for Jose and appeals were put out for donations to help with his rehabilitation.

A request was made to the ministry of agriculture for assistance in moving the animal to Gran Canaria where a specialist team could continue caring for him.

Following long discussions, the ministry agreed to step in and help and the turtle flew from Almeria airport accompanied by an Equinac volunteer.

Equinac coordinator, Eva Moron, thanked all the volunteers who played a part in getting Jose to this stage of recovery, along with airline, Air Nostrum, vets Emilio Guil and Adolfo Marco and the ministry of agriculture.

Equinac is a non-profit group which relies on donations and the work of volunteers in helping stranded and injured marine animals and attending the increasing number of dead sea creatures found on the beaches of the province.