Three loggerhead turtles, a threatened species, have just been rescued by researchers using tracking beacons glued on the animal's back. The turtles were released back into Tunisia's side of the Mediterranean on Sunday.
Vulnerable Loggerhead Turtles
According to the Internation Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of threatened species, loggerhead turtles have been tagged as "Vulnerable". Aptly named for their characteristically large heads supporting powerful jam muscles. These turtles typically feed on hard-shelled prey such as sea urchins and clams.
Despite not being typically hunted for their shells or meat, compared to other turtle species, bycatch or the accidental capture of marine animals during fishing is a serious threat to the population of loggerhead turtles.
World Wildlife Organization explains that these turtles are the most common turtle species in the Mediterranean. Nesting on the iconic beaches of Greece, Turkey, and Libya. Many of their typical nesting beaches are also threatened by tourism development.
The species represents a group of reptiles that have treaded the Earth for centuries, once numbering in the millions, now have a total population of roughly 50,000.
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Releasing Three Loggerhead Turtles in the Mediterranean
Three loggerhead turtles were rescued by researchers when entangled in fishing gear. A team of researchers was able to set the turtles free back into the Mediterranean off Tunisia using tracking devices, watched by a crowd of roughly 50 people.
Together with roughly 35 turtles that have been cared for from the specialized care center in Tunisia's easter port of Sfax in the past year as part of the Mediterranean-wide Life Med Turtle project. Environmentalists helped carry the heavy turtles, roughly 175-400 pounds, down to the beach before the reptiles crawled back safely towards the sea.
All the released turtles have been tagged, with one of them fitted with a hone-sized tracking beacon on its hard shell, tracking its progress as it meanders across the sea.
Imed Jribi, a professor from the University of Sfax and coordinator of the Life Med Turtle Project explains that the beacons provided by the University of Primorska, Slovenia will allow researchers to follow the movement of the turtles. He adds that identifying the routes of grazing, migration, and wintering of the animals is key in protecting and safeguarding the future of the endangered species, reports PhysOrg.
Other than the loggerhead turtles, two other species, the green and leatherback turtle, can be found in the Mediterranean.
Thousands of whales, dolphins and other marine animals are killed yearly by catch. As of now, it is the most prominent cause of death for these animals, many of which are endangered or are suffering from dwindling populations. This is why collaborative conservation efforts such as the Life Med Turtle Project are key ways into ensuring that these species will continue to thrive.
Turtle species such as the loggerhead, leatherback, and green turtles are vital parts of the ecosystem, resulting in an ecological imbalance that has detrimental effects on life.
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