Heroes of the Sea: Turtle Rescued in Little Armier

Imagine, if you will, the sun beating down on Little Armier, a quiet cove in the north of Malta. It’s a typical summer day, with tourists and locals alike soaking up the sun. Suddenly, a shout breaks the tranquility. A large turtle, clearly in distress, is flapping its flippers, struggling to keep its head above water.

This was the scene that unfolded last Tuesday, drawing the attention of quick-thinking life guards and Nature Trust volunteers. The turtle, later identified as a Loggerhead, was entangled in a mass of fishing line and hooks, a common hazard for these gentle giants.

The life guards at Little Armier, Patrik Mifsud and Matthew Zammit, were first on the scene. They waded into the water, carefully approaching the turtle to assess the situation. “It was clear the turtle was exhausted and in pain,” Patrik recalled. “We needed to act fast.”

Meanwhile, Nature Trust volunteers, who were nearby conducting a beach clean-up, rushed to assist. Among them was experienced turtle rescuer, Dr. Andrea Bonello. “We’ve seen this before,” he said, “but every rescue is critical. Every minute counts.”

The team worked swiftly and carefully. Using cutters, they snipped away at the tangled fishing line, freeing the turtle’s flippers one by one. Dr. Bonello gently removed hooks embedded in the turtle’s shell and flippers, a painstaking process that took over an hour.

Once freed, the turtle was brought ashore to rest and recover. “It was incredible to see the change in the turtle’s demeanor,” Matthew said. “From struggling for its life, it was now calm and peaceful.”

The rescued turtle was later transported to the Nature Trust’s sanctuary in Xemxija for further care and observation. It’s expected to make a full recovery and will be released back into the wild in due course.

This rescue serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by Malta’s marine life. Fishing debris, pollution, and habitat destruction are all threats to our local turtle population. The Nature Trust encourages everyone to report turtle sightings and to dispose of fishing waste responsibly.

Patrik Mifsud summed it up, “We’re lucky to have such amazing wildlife right on our doorstep. It’s up to us to protect it.”