Two loggerhead turtles re-released into the Mediterranean at Lorca beach

Cala de Calnegre is a semi-wild Lorca beach in the regional park of Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre

Two more rescued loggerhead turtles were re-released back into the sea after receiving treatment for injuries at the wildlife recovery centre in El Valle, just outside the city of Murcia, the chosen venue for their liberation once again being the cove of Calnegre on the coastline of Lorca.

Calnegre has become one of the preferred locations for this kind of event on account of its favourable location: as well as being highly attractive to beachgoers who forego the comforts of nearby shops and bars (apart from one beach bar), it is relatively isolated and is within the regional park of Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre. This is an area valued for the richness of its biodiversity and indeed forms part of the charm for human visitors to the coves in the area, as well as wildlife!

Both animals were saved after they were found entangled in fishing nets and other debris. The larger of the two is a 15-year-old individual weighing around 28.8 kilograms and measuring 64 centimetres in length, and to ensure its safety it was carried to the water’s edge by two men (Fernando López Miras, the president of the regional government of Murcia, and Fulgencio Gil, the Mayor of Lorca). The animal was found, trapped in a mesh of rope, string and a wooden crate, by lifeguards on 26^th June close to the shore at the beach in Bolnuevo (Mazarrón), about 13 km from the spot at which it was released. Unfortunately, the vets in El Valle had to amputate half of one flipper, it but now swims unhindered.

The second turtle is far younger, and with a weight of only around 2 kilos is approximately 2 years old. This one was found as recently as 10th August by the crew of a dolphin and whale spotting tourist boat in the Gulf of Mazarrón and had become entangled in raffia sacks: yet another example of how careless human litter endangers the marine environment.

Almost 300 turtles re-released in the Region of Murcia

The number of rescued loggerhead turtles re-released into the sea in the Region of Murcia in recent years (since 2010) has now reached 295, including 60 following treatment at the centre in El Valle, where this year alone 34 rescued loggerheads have been taken and 4 re-released.

Most of them were found having swallowed plastics and other floating debris or after becoming caught up in fishing nets and other debris, while a few had either been involved in collisions with boats or seen their nests disturbed.

What’s more, this year there have been two new nests recorded in Murcia, each containing an average of between 50 and 100 nests: with the nesting area still restricted to the Eastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, the only others found have been six in the neighbouring Comunidad Valenciana and one in Catalunya.

The first of the two Murcia nests was discovered at Estacio beach in La Manga del Mar Menor on 3^rd July and contained 75 eggs, which were carefully moved to a safer location around kilometre 15 of La Manga to give them better protection while they develop. The other was found five days later at Cala de los Dentoles, inside the regional park of Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas and Peña del Águila in the municipality of Cartagena and contained 92 eggs.

How to react if you see a loggerhead turtle or evidence of a nest

The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is an endangered species and public are being awareness is gradually being raised of how beachgoers can protect their dwindling numbers (although, with sea temperatures rising, there have actually been a few more in this part of the world in recent years).

If you find an injured, entangled or dead turtle the first advice is to phone the 112 emergency services line and inform them of the exact location so that specialized veterinary staff can collect the animal.

If, on the other hand, you find a turtle nesting, or evidence that a nest has been laid (including the mother’s flipper tracks in the sand), please keep a minimum distance of at least 20 metres and avoid artificial light such as torches, mobile phones and flash cameras. Then, once again, call the 112 emergency services line and inform them of the exact location.

For more local information about Lorca, including news and what’s on, enquire at the tourist office (Palacio de Guevara, telephone 968 441914, email lorcaturismo@lorca.es, or visit the home page of Lorca Today.