Turtle rescued on September 14 from Dumbéa, New Caledonia. Photo: Supplied/ Gendarmerie de Nouvelle-Calédonie
French authorities in New Caledonia are investigating after a sea turtle was found tied to a tree.
The female turtle, about 25-30 years-old, was bound in rope in the Koutio mangrove swamp in Dumbéa and rescued on 14 September.
An Aquarium des Lagons spokesperson said she had deep cuts on her right swim leg from being tied up.
A female turtle about 25-30 years-old bound in rope in the Koutio mangrove swamp in Dumbéa New Caledonia. Photo: Supplied/ Gendarmerie de Nouvelle-Calédonie
Despite this, she is doing well and is now under the care of the aquarium in Noumea.
If she keeps improving she could be released in the next few weeks.
Head of the Aquariology and Maintenance Department at the Aquarium des Lagons told local media that the loggerhead turtle is a protected species, along with the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle.
A female turtle about 25-30 years-old bound in rope in the Koutio mangrove swamp in Dumbéa New Caledonia. Photo: Supplied/ Gendarmerie de Nouvelle-Calédonie
Unlike the green turtle, it is not eaten locally.
Sylvain Govan said there is no doubt that this is "poaching".
"I think the person who grabbed it and tied it up there, had an idea in the back of his head. Either eat it or sell it to make money," she told Nouvelle-Calédonie La Première.
