Sea Turtles Return to the Seville Aquarium
The Seville Aquarium, in its work of conservation and protection of the most threatened species of the marine environment, such as the Caretta caretta sea turtle, has received three specimens of this turtle species in its facilities this week. These animals previously arrived at the CEGMA (Andalusian Sustainable Marine Environment Management Center) in Algeciras to be rehabilitated after their accidental capture, thanks to the rescue work of the S.O.S Caretta project, led by the Man and Territory Association, in collaboration with fishermen from the Andalusian coasts.
The three rescued sea turtles can be seen in the last tank of the aquarium’s tour, dedicated to the natural environment conservation project, where they will be cared for by the technical and veterinary team until their return to the sea.
But these are not the only turtles currently in the aquarium, as for a few months the Seville center’s technicians have been caring for five hatchlings. They are part of the “Head-starting” conservation project in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Andalusian Government.
Last summer, a female Caretta caretta turtle built a nest on the Granatilla beach in Mojácar (Almería) from which 20 eggs hatched. These specimens were transferred by technicians from the Andalusian Government to the CEGMA in Algeciras where they spent their first weeks.
After their initial care, in November, five of these specimens were transferred to the quarantine facilities of the Seville Aquarium to begin a new Head-starting project, which consists of strengthening and subsequent release to the sea and is carried out in order to contribute to the study and conservation of endangered sea turtles.
These specimens will remain in the aquarium until the summer of 2022, when they will be introduced into the marine environment (in the same geographical area where the nest appeared) having reached an optimal size and weight for their survival at sea.