Italian teams protect Caretta caretta turtles with new nest and release

In the coastal hamlet of Acciaroli, part of the Pollica municipality in Campania, a new nest of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was uncovered during routine beach cleaning. A Sarim operator identified the tracks and promptly alerted the Marine Turtle Research Group (GRTM) of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, highlighting the role of trained beach personnel in early nest detection before mechanical cleaning could erase signs.

Separately, a male Caretta caretta that had become entangled in fishing gear near Arbatax in Sardinia was rescued and taken to the Duemari veterinary clinic and the Sinis Recovery Center (CRES). After months of treatment, the 77‑cm, 47.5‑kg turtle regained full mobility and feeding ability and was released on the beach of La Capannina in Tortolì, an event attended by a large crowd of locals and tourists.