TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A hawksbill sea turtle reeled in by a local fisherman near Keelung’s Badouzi was rehabilitated and released into the ocean on Tuesday (April 30).

The fishermen caught the critically endangered sea turtle on a fishing line on April 5 and notified a sea turtle rescue station affiliated with Taiwan Cetacean Society. Rescuers looked after the distressed turtle, which was able to recover from its injury with support from the Marine Animal Rescue Network (MARN). 

Eventually, the turtle was deemed fit to be released, and members of the marine group traveled to Keelung City’s Chaojing Conservation Area to release it into the sea, per CNA.

Keelung City Government issued a press release stating that a juvenile sea turtle was caught by a member of the public in the Badouzi area in early April. The press release said the carapace of the sea turtle measured 38 centimeters in length and 31 centimeters in width. The turtle weighed 5.6 kilograms, indicating it was a juvenile turtle.

After being brought in for rehabilitation, surgery was performed to remove the fishhook, and two blood tests were conducted. The turtle's physical condition soon improved, and it regained its ability to eat and swim.

Keelung official Lin Ding-chao (林鼎超) expressed gratitude to Taiwan Cetacean Association and Marine Animal Rescue Network (MARN) for their rescue operations. Coordination between these relevant organizations and the city government has significantly increased the survival rate of stranded sea turtles.

According to government data, from January to April this year, seven sea turtle rescue cases have been undertaken, including five green sea turtles and two hawksbill turtles. Keelung City Government will continue to invest in equipment and venues to ensure support for the rescue and rehabilitation of both sea turtles and cetaceans.