A loggerhead turtle was rescued earlier this afternoon in Xghajra.  Following a call to the Nature Trust Malta Wildlife Rescue Line (99999505) by a member of the public, the turtle was brought in with the assistance of the Armed Forces of Malta and handed over to Nature Trust - FEE Malta volunteers. 

NT-FEE Malta wishes to thank the AFM for their efforts to carry out this rescue in very difficult conditions, involving rough seas and strong winds, the ERA and the member of the public who called the rescue line.

The NGO is also pleased that the correct procedure in the rescue of turtles was followed since, although the turtle was found entangled in marine debris, some of it also ingested, this was not pulled or cut by the persons who alerted the wildlife rescue team. 

When lines are pulled, the hook may cause tears and lacerations in important organs that may cause the turtle to suffer a painful death while cutting of tight entanglements on or around the head and flipper may cause bleeding or cause blood clots to move internally.

The turtle has been named Steph, after her rescuer - Stephanie Sant, and has been operated on by veterinary surgeon Dr Anthony Gruppetta using specific equipment for such instances. 

Loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta are species listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and suffer tremendously as a result of irresponsible dumping and littering at sea.