A COUPLE who helped save the life of a stranded sea turtle have spoken about the experience.

Joan Quayle, from Old Hall, along with husband Michael, discovered the wounded turtle while walking along Guzelyali Beach in Northern Cyprus at around 3pm on January 16.

The turtle, which has since been named Spartacus, is said to be recovering well at Near East University Animal Hospital under the watchful eye of Dr Wayne Fuller.

Joan, aged 67, described the discovery as a ‘seriously lucky find’.

Michael, who is a diver with the Cyprus Underwater Explorers, added: “The beach has a very rocky back ground and as we were walking along it I saw the shape of a turtle.

“A closer look revealed that it was a huge green male green turtle. Its weight was unknown but it was later weighed and found to be 64kg and more than 1.25 metres in length.

“We saw that it was alive, although in a poor condition.”

The couple were able to get in touch with the Society for Protection of Turtles (SPOT), which called in the assistance of Dr Fuller and Professor Nilufer Aytug, who decided the turtle needed to go to the vet hospital.

It was at the hospital it was discovered Spartacus’ remaining flipper was entangled in a discarded fishing line causing a serious wound as well as low suffering from haemoglobin and protein levels.

Since then the couple have been keeping a close eye on the turtle while he is nursed back to health.

Dr Fuller said: “Now after two weeks of intensive treatment by Dr Cahin, Spartacus is gradually showing signs of improvement.

“Over the coming weeks we hope Spartacus will continue his recovery and eventually be returned to the sea.”