52 Turtles Hatch in Murcia

The Region of Murcia has witnessed an exciting marine conservation achievement this year, with the birth of 52 adorable turtles. This milestone reaffirms the regional government's commitment to biodiversity, the protection of Murcia's natural heritage, and the care of endangered species.

It became evident with the recent release of two loggerhead turtles in the Salinas and Arenales Regional Park of San Pedro del Pinatar. These turtles, previously rescued and rehabilitated at the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Center, are living symbols of the shared commitment to ensuring the survival of this species.

With these two releases, the Region of Murcia has released a total of five loggerhead turtles this year, marking a milestone in marine biodiversity conservation. Additionally, another turtle is expected to be released in the coming weeks, depending on its recovery.

Satellite Technology Monitoring and Recovery

The two loggerhead turtles released on Friday in San Pedro del Pinatar were rescued on the coast of the Region of Murcia last August, thanks to the care of citizens concerned for their well-being. Immediately after their rescue, they were taken to the El Valle Center to begin their recovery process. Both turtles are equipped with satellite devices that will allow constant monitoring as part of a marine conservation project coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation.

The first turtle is medium-large in size, with a weighing 13.9 kilos, and was rescued floating in the sea near the shore of Esculls de la Llana and Encañizadas beach, in La Manga. During its recovery, partial amputation of a fin was required due to entanglement in fishing lines.

The second turtle is a juvenile specimen, weighing 1.8 kilos. It was found near the port of San Pedro del Pinatar and rescued by a private boat. It also had a fin amputated due to entanglement. Both turtles have been identified with subcutaneous microchips as part of the 'Marine Turtle Tagging Program', which will allow for constant monitoring and the study of their movements and threats affecting this endangered species.

This recovery effort is part of the project Deepening Knowledge of Threats. They affect Cetaceans and Sea Turtles in the Murcia Region, funded by the Biodiversity Foundation within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan 2021, supported by the European Union. Satellite tagging has been carried out in collaboration with the 'Oceanogràfic Foundation' through the project 'Tagging and Remote Tracking of 12 Loggerhead Turtles' as part of a Life project.

The Vulnerable Status of the Loggerhead Turtle

The green turtle (Caretta caretta) is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the List of Wild Species under Special Protection and in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species, and as 'Endangered' according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.