Turtle tangled in plastic spotted between Comino and Gozo

A sea turtle entangled in white plastic has been spotted between Comino and Gozo, with rescuers warning boat users to keep a careful lookout as the animal remains difficult to capture.

Nature Trust – FEE Malta’s Wildlife Rescue Team said it had received reports of the entangled turtle, which is still able to dive normally, making it harder to locate and assist.

The organisation is appealing to anyone in the area who spots the turtle to report its location immediately on its emergency line, 9999 9505, or provide a GPS position.

It has also urged members of the public not to attempt to remove the plastic themselves, warning that the entanglement could be covering an open vein or artery.

“Please DO NOT remove entanglement,” the rescue team said, explaining that this should be done by its veterinary team in a controlled setting.

The rescue team said it currently had no photograph of the turtle and appealed to anyone who manages to spot it to take a picture and share it, if possible, to help rescuers identify and locate the animal.

The organisation later issued an update saying that it was dealing with two separate turtles requiring assistance.

The second turtle was spotted off Pembroke, swimming on its side. Although it is still able to dive at times, the animal requires assessment by a vet, according to the rescue team.

The incidents come amid continued concerns over the impact of marine litter and plastic pollution on sea turtles and other wildlife in Maltese waters.

Nature Trust is asking anyone who encounters either turtle not to intervene directly, but instead to contact the Wildlife Rescue Team so that the animals can be safely assessed and treated.