A turtle has been found entangled in the sea! It is brought to a rescue center... What will happen? * A story by the European projet INDICIT http://indicit-europa.eu

2. Fishermen were sailing in
the Mediterranean Sea,
when they spotted a turtle
in great danger!
Entangled in marine debris,
it had trouble swimming in
the sea.
Perhaps
it was also hurt?

3. Hurry up!
There is no time to lose!
The fishermen pick the
turtle up and
immediately call the
rescue center
for help.

4. Keepers from the
rescue center
come to the port
to help the turtle.
In this center, turtles found
hurt in the sea are brought
back to health until they can
be released!

5. Now that she is
in the center,
it’s time to take care
of the turtle!
First, the keepers
carefully disentangle
the turtle from the
fishing nets that were
blocking it.

6. A veterinarian examines
the turtle to check if there is
any injury that needs
to be treated.
Unfortunately, it seems that the
turtle shell has been damaged,
probably by a boat propeller.
The keepers also put the turtle through an X-ray
machine. It allows them to check if the turtle has
swallowed any marine litter that could cause an
obstruction or endanger her health.

7. Good news!
The X-ray shows that the turtle
didn’t swallow any hook
or dangerous object.
Now all the medical exams are done,
and it’s time for the turtle to recover peacefully!

8. The turtle is placed in a
basin where it will stay
for some days,
until it is in great shape
again and can be released
in the sea!

9. But this first meal is a bit special:
a yellow marble is placed in the fish.
The marble will let the keepers know
when the turtle has rejected all the
litter in its digestive system.
After all these
adventures,
the brave turtle
must be hungry!
A meal is prepared:
fish, its favorite food!

10. Finally,
it’s dinner time!
Have a good meal,
little turtle!

11. Everyday, the keepers
scoop the litter out of
the basin.
This helps to keep the
turtle in clean water, but
the litter is also collected
for other reasons…

12. The rescue team keep
thoroughly what they collect
in the basin, and classify the
different types of litter
they find.
Indeed, the litter ingested by sea
turtles is a great indicator of the
oceans’ status.
While it is recovering, the turtle is
also helping science!

13. After a few days,
the yellow marble appears
in the basin.
It means the turtle has
rejected all the litter
previously ingested
in the sea.

14. Here is the litter
the turtle had
ingested in the sea.
You can notice all the
plastic debris…
Poor turtle!

15. After all this care and
attention, it seems
that the turtle
is feeling good again!
Keepers and
veterinarians gather
to organize
its release
in the sea.

16. It’s D-day!
The turtle is released
in the sea
by the rescue center team.

17. Swimming freely
again,
how lucky!
The turtle is heading
happily toward new
adventures.
Good luck turtle, and
let’s hope you will be
free from debris!