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Sixteen sea turtles enter the sea in Torrevieja, one year after being born on La Mata beach.
The newborns have been part of the Oceanogràfic Foundation's Head Starting program to reach the appropriate size and weight that increases their chances of survival in the natural environment.
01.10.2025
The choice of Torrevieja as the location for the release of these turtles responds to the principle of philopatry, by which adult females return decades later to the same area where they were born to lay their eggs.
La Mata beach was the scene of the release of sixteen sea turtles born in 2024 this morning. They came from the nest laid by the turtle known as "Pura Vida" on Los Locos beach. Their eggs were transported to La Mata, where they hatched. After a year of controlled breeding at the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, the animals entered the sea for the first time today in an event open to a large audience and attended by a wide range of institutional, educational, and community representatives.
The summer of 2024 surprised residents and tourists with the discovery of a nest right in the middle of Torrevieja's urban sandbank. "Pura Vida" laid 64 eggs, which were carefully guarded from the outset by volunteers and environmental technicians until they hatched in the same place where they were released today to enter the sea.
A total of six eggs were transported to the Oceanogràfic to form part of the Foundation's Head Starting project, while the rest were incubated on La Mata beach following conservation protocols. Once hatched, ten more hatchlings joined the initial six, bringing the total to sixteen that entered the sea today.
Head Starting to strengthen the survival of the species
The animals have spent their first twelve months under veterinary supervision, with an appropriate diet, regular checkups, and environmental monitoring. This program aims to increase survival during the most critical stages of the loggerhead turtle's life, when natural mortality is highest.
The choice of Torrevieja as the release site reflects the principle of philopatry, whereby adult females return decades later to the same area where they were born to lay their eggs. Respecting this geographic connection is essential to consolidating the recolonization of beaches in the western Mediterranean, an increasingly common phenomenon.
The event was attended by Rosario Martínez, Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Tourism of Torrevieja City Council; Antonio Vidal, Councilor for Environment and Beaches; and Juan Antonio Pujol, municipal biologist; as well as representatives from the Local Police, beach maintenance and cleaning teams, and the volunteers who guarded the nests.
The Oceanogràfic Foundation participated with its technical conservation, education, and volunteer teams. They were joined by 45 first-year high school students from the IES Mediterráneo, as well as Torrevieja residents and beach users, who closely followed this symbolic moment for the city and for marine conservation.
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, threatened by the loss of nesting habitats, pollution, interaction with fisheries, and the effects of climate change.
The Oceanogràfic Foundation, in collaboration with government agencies, scientists, and the public, develops research, rescue, and awareness programs to protect this species and ensure its presence in the Mediterranean.