This incredible footage shows the rescue of an injured 230kg leatherback turtle found entangled in a fishing net in Spain.Experts at the Oceanogràfic de València, Spain, filmed the rescue of the huge one-and-a-half metre turtle from the Murican port of Mazarrón on Monday 19th March.The turtle had multiple injuries after becoming entangled in a fishing line and was transferred to the marine animal recovery centre of Oceanogràfic de València for treatment.It received medical care from veterinarians, biologists and technicians from the General Directorate for the Natural Environment and the Wildlife Recovery Center of the Region of Murcia.Experts arried out various veterinary procedures including examination, ultrasounds and blood tests, for the multiple lesions and erosions it had on its body.Officials at the Oceanogràfic de València stated it was returned to the sea in Cartagena with a satellite transmitter installed on its shell.They said: “The leatherback turtle is one of the largest species of turtle on the planet, weighing up to 600 kilograms. “Many aspects of its biology are still unknown. “A satellite device was installed in its shell to provide scientists with information on its routes and at-sea behaviour.”The leatherback sea turtle is listed as a vulnerable species: its main threats are hunting, accidental death in fishing gear and the plundering of their nests.It is characterised by an extraordinary ability to regulate its temperature which allows it to tolerate very low temperatures and dive to great depths.Despite responding well to treatment, the turtle sadly died in the days following its release.The cause of death is unknown: technicians from the Oceanogràfic de València will carry out a necropsy to determine why it died, investigate the species’ health status and identify other ways to help them in the future.
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