INTERNATIONAL: 31 critically endangered green sea turtles are back in the Caribbean after being rescued from an animal trafficking network in Colombia last Thursday. The surviving turtles swam back to freedom at the weekend.

The 31 are the lucky ones. 11 other turtles rescued from the traffickers had been so badly mistreated that they didn’t survive, but 31 others did and were released back into the sea after undergoing a health check by an animal welfare group. The five people who seized them have all been arrested by the Colombian army.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, almost all species of sea turtles are now considered 'endangered.' Three species, including these green sea turtles, are classified as 'critically endangered.' Their rescue last week and return to the sea this weekend are being hailed as major steps forward in their conservation.

^{PHOTO: TURTLES BEING RETURNED TO SEA AFTER AFTER RESCUED FROM THE BLACK MARKET / TURTLES SEIZED IN ANTI-ANIMAL TRAFFICKING OPERATION IN COLOMBIA SOUNDBITES FROM COLOMBIANS OFFICIALS}