A group of bathers who were on the beach of Caleta de Caballo rescued this past Sunday, October 11, a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), as La Voz has learned.
As can be seen in the images, the bathers proceeded to place the animal in a tub with water until the arrival of the environmental agents of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, who took charge of it.
What to do when finding an injured or trapped species
The Department of Environment of the Cabildo de Lanzarote and the Marine Fauna Observation Network establish a clear protocol for rescuing turtles trapped in plastics, nets, raffia, or injured.
The first step is to notify and call 112 or the Cabildo de Lanzarote's Injured Wildlife Collection Service (696 733 177). After that, the location of the animal and its condition must be reported so that the Environmental Agents can go to the site.
However, the protocol states that the animal should not be released or completely untangled, as doing so hastily can cause hemodynamic shock or toxic necrosis if the cut circulation returns suddenly to the bloodstream.
Furthermore, one should not pull on any ropes, fishing lines, or hooks that the animal may have swallowed, as this can cause tears.
While waiting for rescue, the animal should be kept in the shade and its shell covered with a damp towel, without covering its eyes or nostrils. Thus, the animal should not be fed or given water.
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