ARCHIVED - Loggerhead turtle released into the Med in Calblanque after vets amputated an injured flipper

Costa Cálida authorities participate in campaigns to raise awareness of the plight of threatened turtle species

Although World Turtle Day officially falls on 23rd May it is celebrated in Spain on 16^th June, and to mark the occasion in the Region of Murcia a loggerhead turtle whose flipper had to be amputated by staff at the Oceanogràfic aquarium in Valencia was released back into the Mediterranean on one of the beaches in the regional park of Calblanque, between Cartagena and Cabo de Palos.

As many readers will be aware, the survival of sea turtles is threatened by a variety of factors such as rising sea temperatures, pollution and plastic waste in the oceans, as well as by unwanted interaction with humans. However, it was due to the actions of humans that this particular specimen was able to return to its natural habitat after it was found in La Manga last summer.

The young adult was found to have a broken humerus, possibly as a result of colliding with and becoming entangled in fishing equipment, and vets proceeded to amputate the affected right flipper. Fortunately, the animal has made a complete recovery and was deemed fit to return to the wild.

Various campaigns to protect turtles are raising public awareness of the plight, and in Murcia the municipalities of Águilas and San Pedro del Pinatar have this week announced their participation in the “Tortugas del Mediterráneo” campaign during the summer.