Plastic matter found in Cyprus turtle excrement

Solid pieces of plastic were found in the excrement produced by a green turtle which was taken to the Tashkent Nature Park in Vouni for treatment after it was found washed up on rocks on Cyprus’ coast.

The turtle weighed 90 kilograms when it was found and was, according to the Tashkent Nature Park “tired and weak” and had sustained minor injuries.

However, they said, a greater issue facing the turtle at the time was that “foreign objects” had been seen to be blocking its digestive system.

As such, “medical interventions” were performed, until the turtle was observed to be defecating in the park’s rehabilitation tank on Wednesday morning.

In addition, they said, the turtle’s weight had increased to 97 kilograms, and it was “regaining its old energy”.

However, the excrement produced by the turtle did contain solid pieces of plastic waste.

Tashkent Nature Park said cases such as that of the turtle “draw attention to the problem of plastic pollution which our seas face and reveal its devastating effects on marine life”.

“Sea turtles can mistake plastic bags and other waste thrown into the sea for food and consume them, which can have fatal consequences for them,” they added.

“We hope that once the rehabilitation process is complete, [the turtle] will be able to return to their natural habitat in good health and continue their lives from where they left off.

“Such success stories show how positive results can be achieved with the right intervention and sensitivity,” they said.