How One Kite Surfer Saved a Sea Turtle from a Shocking Fate!
March was a windy month in Malta, but what unfolded on one particularly blustery day was nothing short of miraculous. A kite surfer was gliding over the waves when something caught their eye – a large stick bobbing in the water. But as they paddled closer, their heart raced as they discovered it wasn’t just a stick at all; there was a distressed sea turtle tethered at the other end!
This wasn’t just an ordinary day at the beach. The Good Samaritan, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly reached out to the Wildlife Rescue Team Malta. Enter Lisa and Liz, a pair of incredible rescue volunteers who were determined to make a difference. With adrenaline pumping, they set out to navigate the rough seas, but soon they realized the conditions were too treacherous for their small boat.
Recognizing they needed backup, the duo contacted Civil Protection Malta for urgent assistance. Time was of the essence, and they dispatched a boat to the scene. As the waves crashed around them, the volunteers braved the elements, and their search finally paid off. They found the tangled sea turtle, desperately caught by a knot of plastic at the end of the stick.
With gentle hands, the heroes of the day carefully lifted the turtle out of the water and brought her to safety. They named her Belle — and the name seemed to fit, as she was about to receive her own fairy tale ending. After freeing her from the remaining trash, the volunteers examined her for injuries. Thankfully, a representative from Wildlife Rescue Team Malta later shared that the entanglement had not inflicted severe harm: “The entanglement wasn't extremely tight and hadn't caused deep cuts or loss of circulation to the flippers.”
They treated Belle’s light injuries and gave her some much-needed relaxation before the grand moment of her release back into the wild. And just like that, Belle was back where she belonged, swimming freely in the ocean that was her home. This heartwarming tale underscores the power of community and the importance of protecting wildlife — because every life matters!
