The turtle, found stranded last March in Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga), returned to the wild today after successfully completing her recovery process.
The sea turtle “Pepa”, a juvenile loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), returned to the sea today from a boat that departed from the Port of Marbella (Málaga), close to the area where she was found stranded last March. Her release took place after successfully completing her recovery process, carried out as part of the Regional Government of Andalusia’s threatened marine species recovery programme, coordinated by the Regional Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment, in which the Seville Aquarium collaborates.
The event was attended by Mª Ángeles Muñoz, Mayor of Marbella, and Diego López, Councillor for the Environment at Marbella City Council, as well as representatives of the Andalusian Environment and Water Agency, technical staff from the Seville Aquarium and other members of the organisations involved in the turtle’s recovery, together with the veterinary team that participated directly in Pepa’s care.
“Pepa” was found stranded on 4 March on a beach in the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria, in Málaga. After being rescued by SEPRONA officers, she was transferred to the Andalusian Marine Environment Management Centre (CEGMA) in Algeciras, where she received initial veterinary care. Although her condition improved, she continued to show alterations in her swimming behaviour, so she was transferred to the Seville Aquarium to complete the final stage of her recovery in facilities with a larger volume of water and conditions more similar to those of her natural environment.
During her stay at the Seville Aquarium, the technical team continuously monitored her progress, observing the gradual recovery of her diving ability and normal swimming behaviour until she reached the condition required for her return to the sea.
The General Manager of the Seville Aquarium, Rocío Alcázar, highlighted that “every turtle that returns to the sea represents the result of coordinated work between public authorities, specialised centres and professionals committed to the conservation of marine biodiversity. At the Seville Aquarium, we are proud to be part of this programme and to contribute to ensuring that turtles such as Pepa can return to their natural environment in the best possible condition.”
“Pepa’s” recovery is part of the initiatives carried out by the Regional Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia to conserve sea turtles found along the Andalusian coastline. As a collaborating centre in this programme, the Seville Aquarium participates in the final stage of recovery of turtles requiring specialised facilities to complete their rehabilitation before returning to the wild, thereby contributing to the conservation of one of the Mediterranean’s most emblematic species.