Satellite-tagged sea turtle triumphs over tumors in Taiwan

TAITUNG (TVBS News) — A green sea turtle, with a former tumor and satellite tracker, was released back into the wild at Taitung's Shanyuan Bay on Thursday (Jan. 18), said the National Museum of Biology & Aquarium in Pingtung.

The turtle was rescued in July 2023 after being caught in a fishing net. It was suffering from multiple tumors. After undergoing successful treatment at the aquarium, the turtle, measuring approximately 60 cm and weighing 30 kg, recuperated, said medical officials.

Dr. Chen I-chun noted that the number of sea turtles suffering from tumors has been on the rise globally. The coast of eastern Taiwan sees a significant number of these cases. The cause of these tumors, she said, could be linked to marine pollution or viral infections. Many of the turtles afflicted by these ailments don't survive.

The released turtle was fortunate. Its tumors were external, enabling a successful recovery, said Chen. The turtle is the second in the nation to recover from a tumor and be released back into the wild.

According to data from the Taitung County Government's Agriculture Department, 49 turtles were stranded or caught in fishing nets in 2023. Of these, only four survived, and three were already released back into the wild. The survival of the once tumor-ridden turtle marks a hopeful sign in the fight to preserve Taiwan's marine life.

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