Giulia, the little turtle born in Roseto degli Abruzzi

    An extraordinary and very rare event in an area as man-made as that of Roseto degli Abruzzi. On 14 September, the Onlus Cetacean Studies Center (CSC), in the person of its President, Dr. Vincenzo Olivieri, intervened together with the competent authorities to rescue a newborn baby turtle.

    He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him





    An extraordinary and very rare event in an area as man-made as that of Roseto degli Abruzzi. On 14 September, the Onlus Cetacean Studies Center (CSC), in the person of its President, Dr. Vincenzo Olivieri, intervened together with the competent authorities for rescue a newborn baby turtle.

    The specimen, just 7 cm long, was found on the beach of Roseto degli Abruzzi and belongs to the common turtle species (Caretta caretta). She had been identified by a private citizen, who notified the competent authorities. The commander Sandro Pezzuto, of the Giulianova Maritime District Office, promptly activated the operational chain and the recovery of the specimen.

    The turtle was transported to the Montesilavano Turtle Recovery Center, managed by the CSC, where it was taken over by dr. Olivieri. In honor of the lady who made the exceptional discovery, the little turtle is called Giulia. "By heart one does not remember a turtle laying eggs in such an anthropized area, full of swimmers and where bulldozers also pass - says Olivieri - It is believed that it is a female born about 20 years ago in the same place or a deposition occurred randomly "Today, thanks to the ordinance of the Mayor, the area has been forbidden and a permanent garrison has been set up pending the hatching".

    In fact, in modern times, that is, since the massive anthropization of the middle Adriatic coast began, no turtle egg laying in Abruzzo is remembered or recorded. The event acquires even greater importance because it seems that the deposition in question is the most northerly ever recorded in the Adriatic.

    After the recovery of the first turtle and the discovery of a nesting, over 20 specimens passed through the water, the last one yesterday evening, around 21.30 pm, while other eggs are ready to hatch. Therefore, the ordinance issued by the mayor Pavone of temporary prohibition of bathing and transit on the shore in the stretch of beach between the "Papenoo" and "La Rosa dei Venti" beaches, where there is an active surveillance system carried out by experts and volunteers waiting for the new births.



    Giulia, the little turtle born in Roseto degli Abruzzi

    Meanwhile, Giulia is ready to go back to sea. The celebratory moment, set for 21 September, at 10.30. "The release into the sea of ​​Giulia, (as the Caretta caretta specimen was baptized) - recommends the veterinarian Vincenzo Olivieri who is following her - must take place in compliance with the safety distance of about thirty meters from the public, otherwise for the defense instinct he has already developed will be completely blocked ”.

    Turtles are protected animals and some species are at high risk of extinction. This is due to various factors: predation of eggs and newborn babies who try to reach the sea, collection by humans for food and craft purposes, accidental catches, interaction with anthropogenic activities and pollution.

    The Giulianova Maritime District Office recommends do not approach the spawning site and do not touch the eggs. In case of any sightings, promptly call the blue number for the emergency at sea, 1530, indicating both the place of discovery and the conditions of the eggs or turtles, in order to activate the operational chain.



    Roberta Ragni

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