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Sfax, Tunisia (AFP) Nov 13, 2023 - A crowd has gathered to see off Rose, a loggerhead sea turtle, who labours across the Tunisian sand to rejoin the waters of the Mediterranean.
A crowd has gathered to see off Rose, a loggerhead sea turtle, who labors across the Tunisian sand to rejoin the waters of the Mediterranean. For the last month, Rose has been recovering at the First Aid Sea Turtle Center in the coastal city of Sfax after she was ensnared in a fishing net. The facility, one of two in North Africa, is run by the EU-funded Life Med Turtles project, which looks after endangered species, such as the loggerhead, and aims to improve marine life protection by gathering data on their behavior.
"We use the turtles that arrive here for scientific research, protection and awareness-raising. The center is open to all, researchers, high school and university students." Imed Jribi, Manager of the First Aid Sea Turtle Center and North Africa manager of the Life Medturtels project
Rescued turtles were released into the Mediterranean off Tunisia, one with a tracking beacon to help researchers better protect the species.
The main risks to sea turtles in Tunisia are linked to fisheries, since they become entangled in nets.