Homerus
Our permanent female resident, Homerus was delivered to this center in 2008 by a fisherman who caught her in his net in Marsala. She suffered from a shattered humorous bone in her flipper, undernourishment and paralysis in her back flippers due to a boat impact. Sadly, X-rays showed that the bone would never heal properly, which impeded her from capturing prey.
She continues to develop strength and has become a symbol for educating people on new threats to sea turtles. She is also studied by veterinarians who looking at her case try to develop new orthopedic techniques for her particular neurological condition. Occasionally she is taken to the clear waters of Lampedusa to practice swimming in her natural environment – free among sea grasses and surrounded by fish.
Stats:
Species: Caretta Caretta
Age: 30 Years Old
Weight: 36kg
Length: 65 cm
Tarta-tilt
This special member of our turtle family was brought to our center from the surrounding waters of Lampedusa in October of 2012 by local fisherman. She suffers from an inner ear infection that has been resistant to antibiotics. She will stay with us until further medical advances have been made. She cannot swim properly due to imbalance. She has a tendency to swim in circles and cannot have more than several inches of water in her tank.
Stats:
Species: Caretta Caretta
Age: 10-12 years
Weight: 18.5 kg
Length: 54 cm
Captain Hook
If you look closely you will notice that this little guy only has one front flipper. Don't be shocked, she can still swim! However she serves as a reminder of the dangers of fishing lines. When she was brought in March of 2013, she faced the risk of losing all of her flippers. With surgery and antibiotics, we are hoping that she will fully recover - but the process is continuous. Captain Hook requires regular checkups, medicine, and bandaging. She willl be released to the wild once she is completely healed.
Stats:
Species: Caretta Caretta
Age: 15 years
Weight: 20 kg
Length: 38.4 cm
Tarta-box
Tarta-box is a unique member of our turtle family. She was hit by the stern of a boat and arrived to our center in July of 2012. She was found nesting with her lungs protruding from her shell. To prevent salt water from entering her lungs while allowing surgical procedures, a box was attached to her exterior. This was done to ensure that she would have a safe recovery. Now we are in the process of waiting for her membrane to thicken so she can be released to her native environment.
Stats:
Species: Caretta Caretta
Age: approx. 30 years
Weight: 44 kg
Length: 73.3 cm