MARGAO
The injured baby turtle, which was rescued by a group of Benaulim fishermen and Brazilian tourists last week, was finally released into the sea on Monday evening.
While the grown-up turtle was released immediately into the sea after its rescue by the team, which was on a dolphin trip last week, the baby turtle remained in the custody of the Forest officials for medical treatment.
Monday evening saw fisherman Pele, along with Forest officials and a veterinary doctor, releasing the baby turtle into the sea. The team set sail into the sea on a water sports boat before the turtle was released into the water.
The veterinary doctor told 'The Goan' that the baby turtle, aged around six years, had to be provided with supplements due to starvation in the sea after it got entangled in a ghost fishing net. “Besides providing the turtle with supplements, we also took care of the injuries,” he said.
Fisherman Pele thanked God for giving him the opportunity to rescue the two sea turtles. “I have been told by the veterinary doctor that the baby turtle was only around six years old and the grown-up turtle 16 years. My children have explained to me that sea turtles have a lifespan of more than 100 years. I am happy that I could rescue the two turtles, as they will now get to live for another 100 years,” he said, while making a plea to fishermen as well as tourists not to leave damaged nets and waste in the sea.
