I had never seen a turtle before; I had seen them on television, but I had never seen a real one. The first time I saw one was at the turtle release last week, when three of them, which had been getting better after being hurt by fishing lines, were released in Ġnejna.

Mum took me to see them and I was amazed as they flapped about on the sand and eventually made it into the sea. They looked so much more graceful as soon as they got into the water.

While we were there, we learned more about them. Some people from Nature Trust told us that turtles get injured when they get caught on fishing lines. They also eat cigarette ends and plastic bags because they think they are food. They can also drown if they are caught in fishing nets. This made me very sad. But at least, three of them are back where they should be, in the sea. We should all be more careful to protect turtles, they are beautiful animals.

■ Amy Debattista (aged eight)

Santa Venera