Pouce, a young loggerhead turtle, cared for by Cestmed in Grau-du-Roi, was released offshore

En mai dernier, Paulette, plus âgée que Pouce, repartait vers la mer depuis le Ponant. Midi Libre – Correspondant

This Wednesday, August 14, after three weeks of care at the Seaquarium du Grau-du-Roi, a juvenile turtle, now named Pouce, was released offshore from the boat of the Grand-Mottois diving club, La Palanquée.

Pouce, a young loggerhead turtle weighing 5.6 kg, returned to the sea this Wednesday, August 14 in the afternoon, after three weeks of care at the Seaquarium du Grau-du-Roi. Accidentally caught in the nets of a fisherman from the Thau basin, she was taken in by volunteers from Cestmed, the Center for the Study and Conservation of Mediterranean Sea Turtles.

For this operation, Cestmed called for the first time on the boat of La Palanquée, a local diving club. Only scientists were allowed on board this time.

This return of Pouce to the Mediterranean follows a notable intervention last May, when three loggerhead turtles were released into the waters of Ponant. Among them, a seriously injured turtle needed two years of intensive care before being able to return to the sea.