A Turtle Tale to Celebrate Book Day
One of the most searched phrases on Google is “How to help my child give up the pacifier?” As the transition from baby to child is a headache for many families who want giving up the pacifier to be a non-traumatic experience for their children.
As a result of this situation, the aquarium came up with the idea of creating a story to help children take this difficult step. But not just any story, one in which the protagonist is one of the 44 sea turtle hatchlings they temporarily care for at the center, as part of their conservation project, until their release into the sea.
Under the title “The Baby Turtle Doesn’t Use a Pacifier”, the story follows Charlie, turtle number 39, who dreams of having a pacifier from birth and finally gets one, thanks to a child who gives it to him when he grows up.
The story also features illustrations by well-known Sevillian journalist César Rufino, who volunteered to collaborate on this aquarium project dedicated to the youngest members of households.
But it’s not just a story; it’s an opportunity to actually give the pacifier to the sea turtle hatchlings, as a box has been installed next to the turtle tank where children who wish can leave their precious treasure and receive a digital version of Charlie’s story.
SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT
Conservation, along with research and education, are the foundations upon which the Seville Aquarium was built. They care for over 7,000 animals daily, a great responsibility that gives meaning to the work of the center’s more than 40 employees.
For several months, they have been housing 44 sea turtle hatchlings of the Caretta caretta species, from different areas of the Spanish coast. This project is part of the “head starting” breeding program, which consists of strengthening these animals and their subsequent release into the sea, and is carried out to contribute to the study and conservation of sea turtles, included in the list of endangered animals at risk of extinction.
At present, these turtle hatchlings are in perfect health under the daily supervision of the technical team, and 20 of them can already be seen in the turtle tank along the tour.