In September 2015, Caretta Caretta turtle named Astrid, which was treated for four years in collaboration with the Near East University Animal Hospital and Tashkent Nature Park, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, was returned to its natural life.
In a statement made by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Astrid, who was blinded by an eye with blows to the head and further suffered fractures in her head, was restored to her health after four years of treatment and rehabilitation, and was set free on the coast of Güzelyalı, Kyrenia.
It was stated that Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel; Founding Rector of University of Kyrenia Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Özay Günsel Children’s University Anna Günsel; Vice Rector of Near East University Assoc Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan; Tashkent Natural Park Director Kemal Başat and authorities, Karşıyaka Society for the Protection of Turtles; Nature Scouts Group; environmental conservation associations; local and foreign tourists and citizens in the surrounding area joined the freeing of Astrid.
The treatment of Astrid was a Long and Tough Process …
Tashkent Nature Park Biology and Environment Team Specialist Assist. Prof. Dr. Nazım Kaşot made a statement while Astrid was being released to the sea and stated that after a long and painful process, they were experiencing emotional happiness. Assist. Prof. Dr. Nazım Kaşot said: “Today, we are happy to have Astrid the caretta caretta’s treatment and rehabilitation process totally completed and we are about to send her back to sea. As soon as Astrid’s treatment started at the Near East University Animal Hospital, it caused the establishment of the Society for the Protection of Turtles. The treatment process has been completed successfully. We have gone through a very long and painful process. Right now we are experiencing intense emotional happiness.”
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nazım Kaşot pointed out that Astrid had reached full heath as a result of a great team effort. He said that found in a severely wounded status, the first intervention to Astrid was made at the Near East University Animal Hospital and its treatments followed.
“The Caretta caretta was cared for almost two years at the Near East University Animal Hospital and named as Astrid. In fact, Astrid caused the establishment of the Turtle Rehabilitation and Marine Creatures Center and due to the cooperation protocol signed between Near East University Animal Hospital and Tashkent Natural Park, the caretta caretta was transferred to our centre. Here, Astrid’s rehabilitation and treatment programs were continued and as a result of being patient, Astrid recuperated. Astrid, who has bound us emotionally, has now reached the sea, the natural life. I would like to thank Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the period, which enabled us to make a cooperation protocol on this subject, Prof. Dr. Omer Esendal, Chief Physician of Near East University Animal Hospital Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman Ergene and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, and Tashken Natural Park authorities.”
Astrid was treated with the support of scientists from Abroad …
Deputy Chair of Cyprus Herbarium and Natural History and Head of Department of Landscape Architecture og Near East University Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller said:
“Four years ago, we received information that the turtle was wounded by Karşıyaka Turtle Watch and now Astrid fully recuperated after a long and patient treatment offered by experts. The caretta caretta was transferred ro Near East University Animal Hospital and it remained there for 24 months, as it treatment continued. That is, with the joint efforts of the Faculty of NEU Veterinary Medicine, Tashkent Nature Park and specialists, the treatment programs were carried out by scientists from abroad resulting in the full recuperation of the animal, to be left to its natural habitat. At the end of the four years, we are proud and happy to share the result of our efforts, with hundreds of people coming here today.”
We are happy to be successful after four years of labour …
Tashkent Nature Park Director Kemal Başat said that after four years of hard work, they experienced the happiness of setting the caretta caretta free in the sea. Furthermore, Kemal Başat said that hundreds of people formed a lovely atmosphere. He said: “After two years of rehabilitation and treatment at the Near East University animal Hospital, Astrid was talen to Tashkent Natural Park. The supports and rehabilitation processes of Near East University animal Hospital and Faculty of Veterinary continued. As a result of 4 years of meticulous work, we have made it and we are very happy about this. I hope Astrid will adapt to nature again and will go back to these shores for years and contribute to the reproduction of these species.”
Prof. Dr. Günsel: “We are experiencing a day full of emotions…
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel made a statement regarding the matter and emphasised that words were not enough to express their emotions.
He said:“This is a beautiful island with its unique nature and people, and right now we are full of intense emotions. In fact, it is a day to document; how many people in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is filled with nature lovers. I feel a lump in my throat. Astrid, whom we hosted for four years, is being released to the environment in full health. After being treated by specialist teams, it was rehabilitated in a special pool full of sea water so that it can continue adapting to its natural life healthily. Today, we set it free with applause and great pride. This intense interest has shown us how accurate our work is. We will continue our efforts to create environmental awareness and to make everyone more conscious and sensitive. We hope Astrid will return to these beaches for visit. I would like to express many thanks to everyone involved in the process of brining Astrid back to life in full health.”
It was found severely wounded…
In 2015, the caretta caretta was found severely wounded and brought to the Near East Unhiversity Animal Hospital. After its first medical examination, it was determined that the wounds were human related. There were significant fractures in its head and one eye was blinded due to impacts. Subsequent to its clinical examination, blood tests and radiologic examinations were made. Then, the first medical interventions were made by the Near East University Animal Hospital surgeons. The doctors utilizing a special technique, closed the openings in the head area with bone glue. The caretta caretta positively responded to the treatments and superior efforts of experts provided by the Near East University Animal Hospital. However, Astrid could not dive. After nearly 2 years of rehabilitation and treatment programs offered by Near East University Animal Hospital, it was sent to Tashkent Natural Park where the Park specialists and NEU Animal Hospital Doctors jointly cooperated with specialists from Turkey, Israel and Italy; who all worked together and helped the caretta caretta become fully healthy and be ready to set free to its natural habitat.
