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Daily News Egypt
5 hours ago
- General
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt releases Greek-tagged loggerhead turtle in Mediterranean conservation effort
Egyptian environmental authorities have released a tagged loggerhead sea turtle into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Alexandria, following its recovery from a head injury—part of an ongoing regional effort to protect endangered marine species. The turtle, nicknamed 'Taito' and identified by the Greek tag codes L4728 and L4727, was declared to be in stable health and capable of returning to the wild, according to a statement from Egypt's Ministry of Environment. This marks the second such operation led by the Turtle Rescue Center at the Ashtoum El-Gamil Nature Reserve on Lake Manzala. The release was carried out in coordination with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency in Alexandria, the Alexandria Marine Rescue and Environment Protection Society, and the Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Greece. Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said the female turtle—estimated to be under 15 years of age—was first rescued and admitted to the Greek centre in May 2023 with a head injury. It was later released off the coast of Attica in October 2024 and subsequently tracked as it made its way to Egyptian waters. After being examined by local marine specialists, it was released on Saturday following confirmation of its full recovery. Scientific measurements recorded during the process showed that Taito's shell was 63 cm long and 57 cm wide, with a total body weight of 40 kilograms. Loggerhead turtles are classified as vulnerable to extinction, making such rehabilitation and reintroduction initiatives essential to biodiversity conservation. Fouad reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to protecting endangered marine species, stressing the importance of rapid response mechanisms and cross-border cooperation in the conservation and rehabilitation of sea turtles across the Mediterranean basin. This latest release follows a similar success in February 2025, when another Greek-tagged turtle, 'Drea,' was rescued in critical condition, treated for three months at the same reserve, and then returned to the sea.
Egypt Today
13 hours ago
- General
- Egypt Today
2nd tagged sea turtle from Greece successfully rescued, released in Alexandria
A tagged sea turtle originating from Greece - press photo CAIRO – 21 June 2025: The Turtle Rescue Center at the Lake Burullus Protected Area of Ashtoum El Gamil has successfully carried out the second-of-its-kind rescue and release operation for a tagged sea turtle originating from Greece. The turtle was safely released into the Mediterranean off the coast of Alexandria, after confirming its full recovery and ability to survive in its natural habitat. The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Alexandria branch of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, the Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Greece, and the Alexandrian Association for Marine Rescue and Environmental Protection, as part of Egypt's celebration of World Sea Turtle Day. Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad confirmed that the turtle is a juvenile loggerhead (Caretta caretta), a marine species classified as threatened with extinction. She noted that the turtle was found to be in good health, with all vital functions stable before release. It was tagged with the Greek codes L4728 and L4727, and coordination with the Greek rescue center helped retrieve its environmental history. Fouad explained that the turtle is named Taito, a young female estimated to be under 15 years old. She was admitted to the Greek rescue center in May 2023 after suffering a head injury, and was subsequently released off the coast of Attica, Greece, in October 2024. The minister added that the turtle was transferred from Alexandria on Friday and released into the Mediterranean Sea today, after her health was reassessed and scientific measurements were recorded: the shell measured 63 cm in length and 57 cm in width; the front flipper was 34 cm long, the rear flipper 23 cm, and the head measured 17 cm in length and 15 cm in width. The turtle weighed approximately 40 kilograms. Fouad emphasized that this operation is part of the Ministry of Environment's broader efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered marine species, highlighting the importance of regional and international cooperation to safeguard marine life and enhance rapid response and rehabilitation efforts.
