Rescue of an Injured Sea Turtle in Okjucina Bay

In Okjucina Bay, a report was received about an injured sea turtle, after which a rescue and temporary care operation was organized.

The report was made by Ms. Biljana, a resident of Okjucina. The operation involved the Vis Archipelago Geopark, HGSS – Split Station, Vis Island Branch, and Gradina Vis d.o.o., with expert guidance and instructions from Plavi svijet Vis. The turtle was successfully caught and transported to the town of Vis, from where it will be moved to Split. There, a specialized team from Plavi svijet will take over and arrange further transport to the sea turtle rescue center on Lošinj.

Special thanks go to Mr. Mirko Roki, who provided a boat, and Mr. Toni Linčir, who secured a large trough, or temporary pool, for the turtle's accommodation. Their assistance was crucial for the successful execution of the operation.

The injured turtle is 90 cm long in total, with a carapace length of 70 cm and a width of 55 cm. A large wound, approximately 25 cm long, was observed on the rear part of its shell, most likely caused by a boat strike.

This is a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), the most common sea turtle species in the Adriatic Sea. The loggerhead sea turtle is a strictly protected species in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union, and its survival depends on the preservation of marine and coastal habitats and responsible human behavior at sea.

Adult individuals can reach a carapace length of over one meter and weigh more than 100 kilograms. They feed on sponges, jellyfish, mollusks, crustaceans, shellfish, and fish, playing an important role in marine ecosystems.

In September 2025, the first recorded nesting of a loggerhead sea turtle in Croatia was confirmed on Pržina beach in Lumbarda on the island of Korčula, where hatchlings were filmed after emerging from the nest. This extremely important finding indicates that the Croatian coast can also be considered a potential nesting area for this strictly protected species.

Therefore, in addition to caring for injured individuals, it is especially important to preserve natural beaches, reduce disturbance to animals, and raise public awareness about the sensitivity of sea turtles.

If you encounter a nest, hatchlings, or an injured sea turtle:

• the nest must not be excavated or opened;
• hatchlings must not be touched; instead, they should be allowed an unobstructed path to the sea;
• observations can be photographed or filmed, but without disturbing the animals;
• injured, sick, or accidentally caught turtles must be reported immediately to 112.

Sea turtles are strictly protected in the Republic of Croatia, and any intentional disturbance, capture, or injury is prohibited.

We wish our turtle a safe journey and a successful recovery.

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