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Kayakers rescue sea turtle from plastic bag caught around its neck

A pair of kind-hearted kayakers have rescued a sea turtle from a tangle of garbage caught around the creature's neck.

A husband and wife duo were paddling around Grand Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands, when they noticed the distinctive brown shell bobbing along the surface of the water.

The man was careful to remove the rubbish without harming the turtle. Photo: The Weather Channel
The man was careful to remove the rubbish without harming the turtle. Photo: The Weather Channel

The turtle swam over to the man's kayak, and as it approached, the couple realised there was something wrong.

A woven mesh sack was dragging behind the turtle, hooked tightly around its head.

The man carefully lifts the animal out of the water and rests it on his lap.

Using a diving knife resting in a holster around his ankle, he gently frees the turtle from the strangling mass of plastic.

The man kisses the turtle and pauses for a quick photo. Photo: The Weather Channel
The man kisses the turtle and pauses for a quick photo. Photo: The Weather Channel

He then kisses the top of its head before releasing it into the water again and the turtle immediately descends into the depths.

The video was recorded six months ago, but recently resurfaced when The Weather Channel uploaded it to their Facebook page last week.

In 10 days, the video has been viewed 23 million times attracting thousands of comments applauding the couple and discouraging littering.

"God bless that angel. I'm sure if that sea turtle could talk, he would have kissed him right back and thanked him for his kindness," one woman wrote.

"This made this old girl tear up..especially when he kissed the turtle before putting it back," another said.

The turtle flaps its fins in anticipation as it released into the water. Photo: The Weather Channel
The turtle flaps its fins in anticipation as it released into the water. Photo: The Weather Channel

"Please don't litter in our waterways...pick up your garbage so this stuff doesn't happen!" a lady commented.

"Thank you kind sir for picking up after your fellow humans,"one viewer wrote.

Without help, the turtle could have eventually died of starvation or strangulation.

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News break – April 8