Zoomarine’s Porto d’Abrigo, in collaboration with various organisations, has successfully completed another important conservation mission: the return to the sea of four sea turtles that had undergone a long rehabilitation process. This action took place on July 26th , from Faro’s Commercial Pier, with the support of the Portuguese Navy, on board the NRP Cassiopeia.

The turtles, three of the Caretta caretta species (commonly known as loggerhead turtle) and one of the Chelonia mydas species (green turtle), faced critical challenges before arriving at Zoomarine’s rehabilitation centre. Each one has a unique survival story, and their recovery is a testament to the ongoing effort to preserve marine species.

Rehabilitation Stories:

• Voldetort, a juvenile Caretta caretta, was rescued on February 12th from Carvalhal Beach in Grândola with severe injuries, dehydration and signs of anaemia. After weeks of intensive treatment, including oxygen therapy, Voldetort recovered her health and was considered fit to return to her natural habitat.
• Valhalla, also a juvenile of the same species, was rescued off the coast of Sesimbra on 7 April, showing problems with buoyancy and the presence of plastics in her digestive system. After expelling the plastics and receiving appropriate treatment, Valhalla recovered and was fitted with an innovative transmitter in her carapace, designed to be attached to small juvenile turtles. It is the first of its kind, and so a specialist from the Institute of Marine Sciences (OKEANOS) of the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries at the University of the Azores, Frédéric Vandeperre, was present, as well as a researcher from Upwell Turtles, a non-profit organisation for the conservation of sea turtles based in California, USA, George Shillinger. The transmitter will make it possible to track the juvenile turtle and can provide extremely important data on its behaviour and routes. Most of the existing data comes from transmitters placed on adult animals, so the study of juvenile turtles will enrich the research.
• Vaiana, also of the same species, is in the early stages of adulthood and was found off the coast of Albufeira on 11 May by researchers from AIMM Portugal – Associação para a Investigação do Meio Marinho (Association for Research in the Marine Environment), with difficulties diving due to a lung infection and severe dehydration. With appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and fluid therapy, she recovered, and suspecting that she was a female at the beginning of her adult life, her return was all the more significant as she will now be able to contribute to the conservation of her species, given the low survival rate of sea turtles (around 1 in 1,000 reach adulthood);
• Veggie, a young green turtle (*Chelonia mydas*), was found by fishermen trapped in fishing nets on 12 June with wounds on her flippers. After treatment for decompression sickness and infection, this turtle, which belongs to an endangered species according to the IUCN Red List, is finally ready to return to the ocean.

The Return to the Sea:

The return of these turtles was carried out with great enthusiasm and coordination, marking a crucial moment for marine conservation. Equipped with identification microchips, these turtles will be able to be monitored in future observations. The symbolic and scientific act of returning them to the sea is the culmination of months of work by dedicated teams, involving Zoomarine’s Porto d’Abrigo, the ICNF, the Portuguese Navy, AIMM Portugal, the National Maritime Authority and other organisations linked to the study and protection of marine life.

This type of action is essential for the preservation of marine species, whose populations have been declining at an alarming rate. Each return represents not only the release of a reabilitated animal, but also a victory for the biodiversity of the oceans and the hope for the recovery of endangered species.