The Last 36 Sea Turtles from the 2024 Nests Enter the Sea in Elche

The specimens, born from two clutches located last summer in the municipality, were released today on La Marina beach after a year at the Oceanogràfic Foundation.

La Marina beach in Elche hosted the release of 36 sea turtles born in 2024 today, from the two nests recorded last summer on the Elche coastline.

The specimens, which have spent a year under veterinary supervision at the Oceanogràfic facilities in Valencia, entered the sea today in an event open to the public with the presence of local authorities, Oceanogràfic directors, environmental technicians, volunteers and students.

Today’s event was held on the occasion of World Habitat Day and was attended by the Mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz, the Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Education, María Bonmatí, the Councilor for the Environment, José Antonio Román, and the local Mayor of La Marina, Mª Carmen Molina, along with Beatriz Dominguez, representing the Oceanogràfic Foundation, residents, schoolchildren, Oceanogràfic technicians and environmental volunteers.

Two nests that marked the season

The summer of 2024 placed Elche as one of the key nesting points for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Valencian Community with two nests recorded.

The first nest was located in Arenales del Sol in mid-June. Weeks later, a second nest appeared in the same area, confirming the ecological value of the Elche coast for the species.

As usual, and following the protocols, a part of the eggs was transferred to controlled incubators of the Oceanogràfic (CACSA – GVA) to guarantee their development, while the rest remained on the beach guarded by volunteers.

Controlled breeding to increase survival

After the eggs hatched, the turtles remained for a year in the Valencian aquarium, where they received adapted food, environmental control and veterinary care.

This process, framed in the Head Starting program, aims to increase the survival rate of the offspring during the most vulnerable phases of their development, before being returned to the natural environment.

Educational and social participation

Students from CEIP La Marina participated in the event, attending explanations from the Oceanogràfic Foundation technicians on the biology and conservation of the species. The volunteer groups that collaborated in the protection of the nests and residents of the municipality also participated, accompanying the release in an atmosphere of great expectation.

The Oceanogràfic Foundation has been represented by its education, conservation and communication team, in addition to the volunteers who collaborate in monitoring marine fauna projects.

With this release, Elche says goodbye to the 2024 sea turtle release season in the Valencian Community