A sea turtle rescued in Barcelona returns to the sea after losing a flipper

A rescue story on the Catalan coast has ended with good news. On 27 October, a sea turtle named Coral returned to the Mediterranean after undergoing surgery and several weeks of rehabilitation.

Her recovery was made possible thanks to the work of the Fundació CRAM, an organisation dedicated to the protection and recovery of threatened marine animals in Catalonia.

Found trapped in a net in Arenys de Mar

It all began on 3 September, when someone found a turtle caught in a net in the waters off Arenys de Mar, in the Maresme district.

After discovering the animal in distress, the person called the emergency number 112 to report the situation.

The turtle, a juvenile specimen of the species Caretta caretta, known as the loggerhead turtle, weighed almost five kilos and had a serious injury to its left front flipper.

Once transferred to the Fundació CRAM recovery centre, the vets determined that urgent surgery was needed.

An emergency operation and almost two months of recovery

The surgery was successful, although Coral had to continue her recovery under veterinary supervision.

Over the following weeks, the CRAM team and its volunteers provided the necessary care and monitored her progress.

The injury meant the turtle lost one of her flippers, but this did not prevent her from swimming again.

According to the foundation, sea turtles have a remarkable ability to adapt and can survive in the wild with one less flipper, as long as their health and mobility allow them to manage properly.

After almost two months of treatment and rehabilitation, Coral was discharged and able to return to the sea on 27 October.

The danger of nets for sea turtles

Coral's case highlights one of the problems affecting Mediterranean wildlife: animals that become entangled in nets and other materials in the water.

These incidents can cause serious injuries and threaten the survival of protected species such as the loggerhead turtle.

The Fundació CRAM reminds us that entanglements remain a significant threat to marine animals and stresses the importance of alerting emergency services when an animal in danger is found.

Five turtles are still recovering at the Fundació CRAM

While Coral has already returned to her natural habitat, other animals still need veterinary care.

According to the organisation, it currently has five sea turtles in care, receiving treatment and food until they can recover and, when possible, return to the sea.

The Fundació CRAM has a permanent service for threatened marine wildlife in Catalonia, funded through a contract with the Generalitat and the organisation's own resources.

The organisation also relies on the collaboration of volunteers and private contributions to continue its rescue and rehabilitation work.

Coral's story shows that even an injury as serious as the loss of a flipper does not always prevent a sea turtle from having a second chance in the wild.