<p>This incredible footage shows the rescue of an injured 230kg leatherback turtle found entangled in a fishing net in Spain.</p><p>Experts at the Oceanogràfic de València, Spain, filmed the rescue of the huge one-and-a-half metre turtle from the Murican port of Mazarrón on Monday 19th March.</p><p>The turtle had multiple injuries after becoming entangled in a fishing line and was transferred to the marine animal recovery centre of Oceanogràfic de València for treatment.</p><p>It received medical care from veterinarians, biologists and technicians from the General Directorate for the Natural Environment and the Wildlife Recovery Center of the Region of Murcia.</p><p>Experts arried out various veterinary procedures including examination, ultrasounds and blood tests, for the multiple lesions and erosions it had on its body.</p><p>Officials at the Oceanogràfic de València stated it was returned to the sea in Cartagena with a satellite transmitter installed on its shell.</p><p>They said: “The leatherback turtle is one of the largest species of turtle on the planet, weighing up to 600 kilograms. </p><p>“Many aspects of its biology are still unknown. </p><p>“A satellite device was installed in its shell to provide scientists with information on its routes and at-sea behaviour.”</p><p>The leatherback sea turtle is listed as a vulnerable species: its main threats are hunting, accidental death in fishing gear and the plundering of their nests.</p><p>It is characterised by an extraordinary ability to regulate its temperature which allows it to tolerate very low temperatures and dive to great depths.</p><p>Despite responding well to treatment, the turtle sadly died in the days following its release.</p><p>The cause of death is unknown: technicians from the Oceanogràfic de València will carry out a necropsy to determine why it died, investigate the species’ health status and identify other ways to help them in the future.</p>
