Story By: Juan Fenandez Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Newsflash/@MinAmbienteCo
This is the moment an enormous 660-lb leatherback turtle is released into the ocean following its rescues after becoming entangled in a fishing net.
The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) was found in the municipality of Monitos located in the northern Colombian department of Cordoba.
The Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorises the leatherback sea turtle as ‘vulnerable’.
The fishermen reportedly freed the turtle and allowed it to roam loose on the beach where it promptly attracted the attention of local residents.
The public attention forced members of the Environmental Police and National Guard to intervene and protect the huge reptile to make sure it was not harmed, according to local media.
The local authorities then took the turtle to the Autonomous Regional Corporation of Valles de Sinu and San Jorge (CVS), the organisation in charge of sustainable development in Cordoba.
A CVS spokesperson said: “After being evaluated and treated by our vets, the leatherback sea turtle was returned to deep waters off the coast of the municipality of Monitos.
“The police, National Guard and the community of Bahia Rada took part (in the rescue),” referring to the fisherman who found the turtle.
Leatherbacks are the largest species of all turtles and are the fourth-heaviest reptile in the world.
Its name comes from the fact they do not have a bony shell typically associated with turtles.
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