2023-11-26 16:18:00
This species has never before been identified with certainty in Belgium, notes the institution. The animal was transferred to Sea Life in Blankenberge.
This type of sea turtle is very widespread since it is present in all oceans except the polar regions. However, the North Sea is not part of its coverage area. If “a certain number of strandings are known in the Netherlands, no observation has been confirmed in Belgium to our knowledge”, underlines the institute.
The animal found on Bredene beach is young, with a carapace measuring only 14 centimeters while as an adult, the carapace can reach a length of more than a meter. It was recovered by firefighters and reported to the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences.
Here is the poor leatherback turtle found dead on the beach of Knokke-Heist this Saturday morning
“Immature loggerhead turtles from North America and Cape Verde complete a several-year tour of the Atlantic Ocean before returning to their native regions. During this stage of their lives, strong currents can cause them to drift”, explains the organization. “Western currents in the Atlantic Ocean occur mainly in autumn and winter, so it is no coincidence that North Sea sea turtles also appear most often during this period.”
A northwest storm over the past two days may have influenced the path of Bredene’s turtle, as it carried driftwood and other objects like buoys from the United States and Canada.
However, it is not possible to deduce the birthplace of the Belgian loggerhead turtle, notes the institute.
The animal, injured in the back of its shell, was transported to Sea Life to receive treatment.
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