23.06.2026 21:40
A sea turtle with a stone tied to its leg was found for the second time in a week in Kuşadası district of Aydın. It was determined that a rope and a paving stone were tied to the flipper of a green sea turtle found dead on Pamucak Beach.
Following the incident in Kuşadası district of Aydın where a sea turtle was found with a stone tied to its leg by amateur fishermen in the open sea a few days ago, another sea turtle that died due to a stone tied to its leg was found on Pamucak Beach.
A few days ago, a caretta caretta struggling in the sea with a paving stone tied to its leg was found by amateur fishermen who went out to sea by boat to fish in Kuşadası, and the rope on its leg was cut by the fishermen, saving the sea turtle.
SECOND CASE ON PAMUCAK BEACH
The inhumane incident recurred on Pamucak Beach, located in the Selçuk district of İzmir and the Kuşadası district of Aydın. Ufuk Alaca, an employee at a kiosk on Pamucak Beach, noticed a motionless sea turtle in the water and brought it ashore. Following the report of the situation, teams from the Selçuk District Agriculture Directorate took action, and the matter was also reported to the Ecosystem Conservation and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD). The association's president, Bahattin Sürücü, who arrived at the scene, identified the turtle as a young Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). An examination revealed a deep cut on the animal's shell, a paving stone tied with a rope to one of its front flippers, and that it had died.
"AN INHUMANE ACT"
EKODOSD President Bahattin Sürücü said, "Similar to the incident that occurred a few days ago, the fact that a rope and stone were tied to a sea turtle's flipper has deeply saddened us. It is unknown who or who did this. However, such behavior towards living beings is unacceptable. This is an extremely saddening and inhumane act against nature and the right to life. We have not encountered such incidents in our region before. The occurrence of two similar incidents within the last week shows that the issue needs to be seriously investigated. Relevant institutions and Coast Guard units have been informed to conduct the necessary investigations regarding the incident. It is of great importance for the protection of marine life that citizens who witness such incidents at sea or on the coasts inform the Coast Guard Command and relevant institutions without delay."