The scientific study ‘Rehabilitation of an adult leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) after becoming entangled in fishing gear: a case study from southern Portugal’, recently published in Chelonian Conservation and Biology, documents the unique case of a leatherback turtle rescued off the Algarve coast, turning an intervention into a valuable contribution to scientific knowledge about this species.

The study follows Quinas, an adult leatherback turtle weighing approximately 300 kilograms, which was found entangled in fishing gear in June 2019 and taken to Zoomarine Algarve’s Porto d’Abrigo. Over 48 days, a multidisciplinary team monitored the animal’s clinical and behavioural progress daily, continuously adapting care to its specific needs and observed responses.

Marine conservation

As a migratory species accustomed to living in the open ocean, all decisions were made cautiously, based on continuous observation of the animal and ongoing contact with international specialists dedicated to marine turtle conservation.

“We were called upon to assist an animal in an absolutely exceptional situation. And that is what we did. From the very first day, every decision was adjusted according to Quinas’s clinical and behavioural development, always in coordination with international specialists,” says João Neves, Zoomarine’s Director of Conservation.

The scientific publication aims to rigorously document the entire process, sharing the challenges, adaptations implemented and lessons learned during the intervention.

After 48 days of rehabilitation, Quinas was fitted with a satellite transmitter and returned to the ocean. Over the following 20 days, the turtle travelled 1,283 kilometres towards the Canary Islands, averaging approximately 64 kilometres per day. According to the study, this journey showed normal migratory behaviour, demonstrating that the intervention had not compromised the animal’s ability to return to its natural habitat.

The authors highlight the importance of adaptations made to the facilities, clinical and behavioural monitoring, and satellite tracking following the release.

Therefore, the case provides valuable information to support future teams faced with the need to rehabilitate individuals of this species.

Natural habitat

The experience gained with Quinas is now contributing to the Porto d’Abrigo’s latest rehabilitation case, Molly. An adult loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) weighing approximately 120 kilograms, Molly came from Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Ireland and is currently undergoing rehabilitation and being monitored with a view to her eventual return to the sea.

The same team is carrying out the process using the technique applied in Quinas’s case, building on the knowledge and experience gained from that intervention.

Established in 2002, Porto d’Abrigo was the first marine species rehabilitation centre in Portugal. In collaboration with the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), it had carried out more than 742 interventions by 2025.

This work includes 294 cases resulting in a positive field response — including situations involving assistance without admission and strandings — as well as the admission of 448 animals for rehabilitation, many of which have been successfully returned to their natural habitat.