By Ahmet Abdulaziz….
In September 2015, an injured Caretta caretta, subsequently named as ASTRID, was found, and taken to the Near East University hospital for medical treatment. It took around 4 years to bring it back to health. With close cooperation of the Near East Hospital and Tashkent Nature Park, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, it was released to the sea on the coast of Güzelyalı, Karsiyaka,recently.
According to the information released by the Near East University, Astrid was blind in one eye due to blows to the head-. The head also having fractures. The doctors at the hospital took special care and provided him with all necessary medical attention. The Tashkent Nature Park, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center provided the facility for rehabilitation.
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 in the the freeing of Astrid.
BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT…….congratulations to all who made this fitting and wonderful return possible.
May ASTRID return for many many years to leave her mark to remind others that NATURE is our life-blood.