This is the moment a sea turtle is seen being cut free before it swims off after becoming caught in a tangle of ropes and plastic in the sea off the tourist isle of Majorca.
The incident took place on the beach at Soller, in the municipality of Port de Soller, on the Spanish Balearic Island of Majorca after local residents Toni Miro and Miguel Nicolau were told there was something strange floating in the sea.
They told reporters from local newspaper ‘Ultima Hora’ they decided to go to investigate and when they arrived at the scene they spotted a turtle stuck in a tangle of ropes and plastic bottles in the sea.
In the video, Miro can be seen getting into the water to try to free the turtle from the tangle. He uses a pair of scissors to carefully cut the turtle loose from the yellow rope.
The sea turtle has the rope caught around its head and can be seen flapping to try and get free as Miro continues cutting. The turtle is eventually freed and can be seen swimming away from the boat as Miro and Nicolau celebrate.
Miro said: “I jumped in, Miguel held it and after 15 minutes trying to get it out of there without hurting it and without being bitten we managed to cut the net and it left the scene.”
Netizens were quick to comment on the video, such as ‘Helena Macein Sancho’ who wrote: “Thank God it found you guys! Good job.”
And ‘Lida Crespi’ added: “Reduce the use of plastic, no more excuses, thanks for helping it.”
The exact species of turtle in the video is unclear.
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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