A must for anyone visiting Favignana can only be the center of marine turtles, a place that is also a symbol of respect for the environment that has formed over years of work on biodiversity of these our beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. The summer center is open to the public both in the morning hours that afternoon. E’ easily accessible because it is located at the Palazzo Florio in the side facing the sea. The following texts are taken from AMP Egadi site while photos and videos are the undersigned made at different times of my visits to the islands. Enjoy your visit and… In La Caretta Caretta !
Giorgio De Simone
(WWF western Sicily)
The First Aid Center for Marine Turtles of the AMP "Egadi", managed in collaboration with environmental groups WWF Italy Onlus e Legambiente onlus It is located in the semi-basement of the prestigious Palazzo Florio, liberty and neo-gothic residence owned by the City of Favignana, located in the heart of down town and near the port.
E 'was made with the assistance of the Ministry of the Italian Fund for Biodiversity promoted by Federparchi thanks to sponsors Co.Ge.Di. and the contribution of the group Bolton Alimentari SpA.
The Center is in the process of strengthening, to be transformed into a veritable Recovery Center, 12 under the LIFE + project reserve Life, funded by the European Commission, of which the AMP Egadi Islands is partner.
The center, open all the year, in September 2015, It is operative to receive and care of specimens of sea turtles in distress. To it conferred the turtle specimens recovered in compartments Maritime Trapani and Mazara del Vallo.
Structure, as well as having a reserved area to the care and rehabilitation of sea turtles, It has access to a small area dedicated to guided tours from visitors interested, to provide basic knowledge on the biology and ecology of marine turtles and good practices to be followed in case of sighting and / or recovery of specimens in difficulty. The center, thanks to the European project funding Tartalife, by 2018 become a true Center Recovery.
For reports, info or bookings of guided tours, contact the dedicated number "SOS Tarta" 328.3155313, operating H24, or AMP offices, the number 0923.921659, or write to e-mail addresses and sostarta@ampisoleegadi.it info@ampisoleegadi.it.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AreaMarinaProtettaIsoleEgadi
THE PROJECT
In 2011 Marine Protected Area "Egadi", the City of Favignana as a managing body, and environmental groups WWF Italy and Legambiente Onlus non-profit organization signed a memorandum of understanding by which they agreed to work together to conduct activities aimed at environmental protection, specifically the creation of a First Aid Center for Marine Turtles on the island of Favignana, co-managed on the basis of their skills and experience in the field, in order to make up for a shortage in the Province of Trapani and create a landmark in the area with regard to the care and recovery of animals in need.
The project aims to establish a professional network and to establish a standardized protocol, based on the instructions contained in the regulations and guidelines drawn up by ISPRA, allowing the treatment and rehabilitation of sea turtle specimens in difficulty, the purpose of a subsequent reintegration into the sea.
The overall objective is to contribute to the protection of sensitive species such as sea turtles, intervening on copies in difficulty.
The project, realized on the island of Favignana, It born in order to compensate for the lack of similar structures in the province of Trapani power and thus ensure a timely intervention and rescue. Shortening distances and provide more immediate assistance, determines a greater likelihood of success and consequently increases the percentage of survival of specimens.
What to do in case of sighting of sea turtles in distress
or anyone who carries out recoveries sightings of sea turtles in distress should contact the Harbor Office responsible for the area or directly to the First Aid Center AMP Egadi Islands, to the special phone number "SOS Tart" 328.3155313, h24, or by telephone AMP Offices, 0923 921659; any notification in writing must be sent to the addresses or write to e-mail addresses and sostarta@ampisoleegadi.it info@ampisoleegadi.it;
the temporary detention of sea turtles, incidentally caught, by fishermen, It is not considered an offense or does not constitute administrative violation, if the animal's owner has promptly notified the relevant CP or First Aid Sea Turtle Center;
awaiting surgery and / or delivery of the specimen to the CP or directly to the First Aid Center, the manipulation of turtles must take place exclusively by firmly grasping the two sides of the carapace, without ever taking them raising animals for their fins;
during these operations it is necessary to maintain a safe distance from the animal's mouth, which can cause dangerous injuries and, in large animals, also from the front flippers, that can inflict painful blows to the rescuers;
limit handling to a minimum, avoiding the transport by hand;
the turtle must be paid, in a prone position and kept moist, preferably in a container with rounded edges and of adequate size to those of the animal, so that the latter is not subject to the joints twists;
recovered until the delivery of the animal is recommended to wet the body with sea water or fresh water. Alternatively, especially in summer, you can cover the animal with wet cloths, being careful not to obstruct the airways;
recovery of the material specimens, at sea or on land, It is always carried out by authorized personnel relating to first aid AMP Center: AMP staff, or volunteer trained personnel commissioned by WWF Italy and Legambiente.
Text taken from the site of the APM Egadi www.ampisoleegadi.it
Photo and video: © Giorgio De Simone
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