Zoomarine Algarve rehabilitates 300kg leatherback turtle

A scientific study published in the journal Chelonian Conservation and Biology has documented the successful rehabilitation of a 300-kilogram adult leatherback turtle named Quinas. The turtle was rescued off the coast of Algarve, Portugal, in June 2019 after becoming entangled in fishing gear.

Quinas was treated at the Zoomarine Algarve shelter for 48 days. A multidisciplinary team monitored the animal's clinical and behavioral evolution, coordinating with international marine turtle conservation specialists to manage the migratory species. Following rehabilitation, the turtle was fitted with a satellite transmitter and released into the ocean.

In the 20 days following its release, Quinas traveled 1,283 kilometers toward the Canary Islands, averaging approximately 64 kilometers per day. The study indicates that the turtle exhibited normal migratory behavior, suggesting the rehabilitation process did not compromise its natural capabilities.