Turkey releases three rehabilitated green sea turtles off Antalya coast

In Manavgat, Antalya, three green sea turtles aged five, seven and eight were released back into the sea after rehabilitation. Each turtle was fitted with a satellite tracking device and released from Sorgun Bay as part of the "Ölmek İçin Çok Genç" project, which aims to study the survival of young turtles and identify critical feeding habitats. The initiative was supported by the Antalya Governor's Office, the Nature Conservation and National Parks Directorate, Akdeniz University, the DEKAFOK Centre and international volunteers.

Earlier in the same province, a dead green sea turtle about 50 cm long and estimated to be ten years old was found on the beach at Kahyalar in Gazipaşa. Environmental activist Güldane Şahin reported that the carcass was intact and was taken to a marine animal cemetery for burial. She highlighted ongoing threats to turtles, such as entanglement in fishing gear, propeller strikes, and beach traffic, urging stronger protection measures for nesting sites.