2023-11-26 16:17:17
A live loggerhead turtle washed up on Bredene beach on Saturday, the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences said on Sunday. This species has never before been identified with certainty in Belgium, notes the institution. The animal was transferred to Sea Life in Blankenberge.
This sea turtle is very widespread since it is present in all oceans except the polar regions. However, the North Sea is not part of its coverage area. If “a certain number of strandings are known in the Netherlands, no observation has been confirmed in Belgium to our knowledge”, underlines the institute.
The animal found on Bredene beach is young, with a carapace measuring only 14 centimeters while as an adult, the carapace can reach a length of more than a meter. It was recovered by firefighters and reported to the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences.
“Imature loggerhead turtles from North America and Cape Verde complete a tour of the Atlantic Ocean for several years before returning to their regions of origin. During this stage of their life, strong currents can cause them to drift,” explains the organization. “Western currents in the Atlantic Ocean mainly occur in autumn and winter, so it is no coincidence that North Sea sea turtles also appear most often during this period. »
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