Two Gigantic Leatherback Sea Turtles are freed
Bogotá D.C.
02 February 2010
Two “leatherback sea” turtles -- one 150-kilo male and one 220-kilo female – were seized last week (on January 27 and January 30, respectively) by the police authorities of Cabo de la Vela, Uribia, in Alta Guajira. The specimens belong to one of the largest species that travel around the world seas and are classified as under critical danger of extinction by the International Union for Nature’s Preservation (UICN - Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza) and CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species).
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The turtles were taken by the National Police to Cerrejón’s facilities at Puerto Bolívar, where they underwent a rehabilitation and hydration process to recover their optimal conditions. Corpoguajira, the regional environmental authority, was advised and they were present for the physical review, the registration and cure of some minor wounds that these specimens had.
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The turtles (1.5- and 2.2- meter long, respectively) with 90-cm and 1.07-mt wide soft shells, were transported inside the carbon port facilities with the coordination of Cerrejón’s marine operations, environmental, and protection areas employees and were freed three miles inside the open sea.
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Altogether, already there are more than forty specimens freed in a joint work between the local police and Cerrejón, contributing to the preservation of these so-vulnerable species worldwide. Currently, Cerrejón’s Environmental Department has an agreement with both the National Policy and Corpoguajira for the preservation of this and other species in the La Guajira area.
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Transfer of the turtle to Puerto Bolívar, Cerrejón, to be freed in the open sea.
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The turtle at the moment of being seized at Cabo de la Vela.
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