The Seville Aquarium Receives a Sea Turtle in Recovery
This morning, a new specimen of sea turtle arrived at the Seville Aquarium to recover in its facilities over the coming months. This animal, of the species Caretta caretta (cataloged by the IUCN as a “vulnerable” species) appeared on August 24, 2017, on the coast of Playa Chica (Tarifa Island, Cádiz). It had ropes with nets and bottles entangled around its left front flipper, which prevented it from swimming and had caused significant injuries.
The animal was transferred to the facilities of the Andalusian Marine Environment Management Center (CEGMA) of the Strait, in Algeciras, where several analyses and x-rays were performed to assess its condition. It was decided not to release it in October to better observe its evolution during the winter.
The transfer to the Seville Aquarium facilities will enable a better evaluation of the animal’s condition, thanks to the larger volume and depth of the tanks in which it will be kept. Additionally, in these tanks, it will be able to exercise and increase its muscle mass in preparation for its eventual release once its recovery is fully complete.
With this collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía, the Seville Aquarium strengthens its commitment to the conservation of sea turtles, in which it already participates through various projects, both with the Junta de Andalucía itself and with the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), the Generalitat Valenciana, and the Oceanogràfic of Valencia.
It is important to remember that in case of witnessing a stranding, whether of turtles or marine mammals, we should never manipulate the animal or approach it, and immediately call 112 to initiate the rescue protocol.