Sixteen Sea Turtles Enter the Sea in Torrevieja after a Year at the Oceanogràfic

The neonates have been part of the Oceanogràfic Foundation’s Head Starting program to reach the appropriate size and weight to increase their chances of survival in the wild.

La Mata beach, in Torrevieja, was today the scene of the release of sixteen sea turtles born in 2024, from the nest that the turtle known as “Pura Vida” deposited on Los Locos beach. After a year of controlled breeding at the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, the animals entered the sea for the first time today in an event open to the public that was attended by a broad institutional, educational and neighborhood representation.

The summer of 2024 surprised residents and tourists with the presence of a nest in the middle of the urban beach of Torrevieja. “Pura Vida” laid 64 eggs, which were guarded from the first moment by volunteers and environmental technicians until they hatched.

Of the total, six eggs were transferred to the Oceanogràfic to be part of the Foundation’s Head Starting project, while the rest were incubated on a protected beach in the municipality following conservation protocols. Once born, another ten hatchlings joined the initial six, completing the sixteen specimens that entered the sea today.

Head Starting to reinforce the survival of the species

The animals have spent their first twelve months under veterinary supervision, with an adequate diet, periodic check-ups and environmental control. The purpose of this program is to increase survival in the most critical phases of the life of the loggerhead turtle, when natural mortality is highest.

The choice of Torrevieja as the setting for the release responds to the principle of philopatry, whereby adult females return decades later to the same area where they were born to lay their eggs. Respecting this geographical link is essential to consolidate the recolonization of beaches in the western Mediterranean, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly frequent.

The event was attended by the Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Tourism, Rosario Martínez, the Councilor for the Environment and Beaches, Antonio Vidal, and the municipal biologist, Juan A. Pujol, as well as representatives of the Local Police, the beach maintenance and cleaning teams, and the volunteers who guarded the nests.

The Oceanogràfic Foundation has participated with its technical team of conservation, education and volunteering. Together with them, 45 1st year high school students from the IES Mediterráneo attended, as well as residents of Torrevieja and beach users, who closely followed a symbolic moment for the city and for marine conservation.

The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), threatened by the loss of nesting habitats, pollution, interaction with fishing and the effects of climate change.

The Oceanogràfic Foundation, in collaboration with administrations, scientists and citizens, develops research, rescue and awareness programs to protect this species and guarantee its presence in the Mediterranean.