If You Found a Turtle

If you found an injured sea turtle

1. Move the turtle to a safe place away from people and noise. Hold the turtle by its shell, never by its flippers or head. If the turtle is large and requires two people to move, one should hold the shell just behind the neck, and the other should hold the part of the shell near the tail.

2. Handle the turtle with care and gentleness. Make sure its flippers are not folded, bent, or twisted backward or under the body.

3. Make sure the turtle is in a safe, enclosed space away from wind and drafts. In summer, cover the injured area with a damp cloth. The temperature where the turtle is kept should not drop below 15°C.

4. There is no need to keep the turtle in water. If the turtle has a head injury or is exhausted, it must not be kept in water at all, as it may suffocate or drown.

5. If the turtle is entangled in a net or fishing line, these should be carefully removed. Do not attempt to pull out a hook or line protruding from the mouth or tail.

6. But the best thing is simply not to touch the turtle and let us know via our WhatsApp number.

If you found a dead sea turtle

All turtles should be handled with care. A turtle may appear dead but could simply be in a state of torpor, especially during cold months.

1. Send photos of the animal, especially its wounds, to our volunteers. Include a link to a Google Maps location showing where the animal was found.

2. After completing the above steps, we will notify the responsible local authority about the need to collect and dispose of the body.