Turkish conservationists have rescued an endangered loggerhead sea turtle with a severe head injury.

Local animal activists were informed about a loggerhead sea turtle that was found injured in the district of Gokceada in the Turkish province of Canakkale on 6th July.

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) measures around 90 centimetres (2,95 feet) in length when fully grown, and weighs approximately 135 kilogrammes (298 lbs).

The loggerhead is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In total, nine distinct population areas are under protection, with four classified as ‘threatened’ and five classified as ‘endangered’.

In the first examination, it was determined that the turtle’s head had a lesion consistent with soft and hard tissue trauma findings.

The injured loggerhead was brought to the city centre, and underwent treatment at the Nature Conservation and National Parks Canakkale Branch Directorate. The treatment was carried out by veterinarian Meltem Dimisgi.

Speaking to Newsflash, Meltem said, “Our guess is that it was injured by a fishermen when it damaged their fishing nets.”

She added: “I treated the loggerhead first, we named it Gokceada. I wish it a speedy recovery and prompt return to the wild where it belongs.”

After the loggerhead’s treatment was completed, it was handed over to the Sea Turtles Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER) in the Turkish province of Mugla today (8th July).