Injured Turtle rescued at Altona Lagoon. By FIONA STOKES
An injured turtle was found in the water at Altona Lagoon on Wednesday struggling to swim. It had fishing lines tangled around its right fin; the left fin was cut off. A fisherman rescued the turtle and along with some individuals, untangled the line from the right fin. They were waiting to release the turtle to the care of DPNR.
A heartwarming story of rescue and rehabilitation has emerged from Altona Lagoon, where a turtle with a cut-off fin was found injured and in distress. The incident highlights the importance of conservation efforts and the role that humans can play in helping injured wildlife.
The turtle was discovered by a group of concerned citizens who noticed it struggling in the water. Upon closer inspection, they realized that the turtle had suffered a severe injury, with one of its fins completely cut off. The wound was likely caused by a fishing line or net, which can be deadly to marine animals.
The group immediately sprang into action, contacting local conservation organizations and wildlife rescue centers. A team from the organization Wildlife Victoria responded to the call, and they quickly arrived on the scene to assess the turtle’s condition.
The team determined that the turtle was in need of urgent medical attention, and they transported it to a nearby veterinary clinic for treatment. The injured fin was amputated, and the turtle was given antibiotics and pain medication to aid in its recovery.
After several weeks of rehabilitation, the turtle was deemed healthy enough to be released back into the wild. The release was a joyous occasion, with a crowd of onlookers cheering as the turtle swam away into the waters of Altona Lagoon.