Sea turtle bites on Croatian coast

Since mid‑July 2026, multiple incidents have occurred in the Kaštel Lukšić area of Croatia’s Adriatic coast where a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) bit swimmers. Early reports in July described victims suffering minor scratches and more serious wounds, including a child who sustained a broken finger and required surgical care. Police linked these bites to a male turtle defending a breeding area, noting that such aggression is rare for the protected species.

On 11 August 2026, a fifth recorded attack occurred at Miljenko and Dobrila beach in Kaštela Lukšić, where a young man sustained a bleeding wound to his lower back. Emergency services advised the victim to seek medical attention and receive a tetanus shot. Local residents and witnesses have expressed growing concern, reporting that the turtle—which may weigh up to 70 kilograms—frequently stays in shallow waters and approaches swimmers from behind, sometimes attacking even when not provoked. These incidents have caused significant concern among locals and tourists, many of whom no longer feel safe entering the water.

While citizens are calling for action, unofficial reports suggest that relocating the animal may not be possible because it is a strictly protected species in its natural habitat. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition has been contacted for an official response. Marine biologists and medical authorities have reiterated that while such aggressive behavior is unusual and linked to mating‑season dynamics, it does not indicate a wider threat to the recovering population. Medical professionals have advised that while the turtle lacks teeth, its powerful jaws can cause bruising, lacerations, and serious tissue damage, requiring victims to seek professional medical attention and tetanus protection.