31/03/2010

“Nikolas”, a horror story...

It was the beginning of March when Nikolas, a male Loggerhead turtle was seen swimming in the port of Mykonos. A port office employee, Mr. Rossolatos Nikolaos, collected the turtle and brought it to Mykonos beach. He then contacted the Mykonos police to instruct local veterinarian Mr Rozos Georgios to come and examine the turtleʼs injuries. Mr Georgios was horrified to discover that ʽNikolasʼ was suffering from extensive head injuries resulting from a large nail which had been hammered through his skull! Mr Georgios then contacted Archelonsʼ rescue centre to come collect the turtle for rehabilitation and treatment.

After being transferred to the rescue centre, Nikolas was examined; X-Rays showed another nail which had been impaled from the bottom of its jaw, sealing his mouth closed!!

The veterinarian alongside Archelon officials decided that Nikolasʼ suffering was too much and his situation was irreversible. Nikolas was put down, finally seeking the peace he so deserved.

Nikolas was brutally and deliberately injured by the hands of man. Who was this demented and evil human who hammered two large nails into a defenseless creatureʼs skull? How could someone be so cruel to leave an endangered animal to die slowly and in much pain...

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