Turtles Born On Barcelona Beach Released To Sea
42 tiny loggerhead sea turtles born on a Barcelona beach have been released into the sea for the first time.
The hatching took place at the beach of Mar Bella, located in the city of Barcelona, the capital of the eastern Spanish region of Catalonia, on the 29th August.
According to local newspaper Niusdiario, 56 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) were recovered, 42 of which have been released into the sea and the remaining 14 of which have been retained for breeding in captivity.
Various videos taken during the event show the emotional moment that some of the sea turtles hatch.
The foundation for the conservation and recovery of marine animals (CRAM) reported in a press statement obtained by Newsflash that although the hatching was premature, due to high temperatures, it was considered successful as so many of the turtles survived.
Some of the eggs were transferred to the CRAM and the Barcelona Zoo for artificial incubation, according to the statement, of which five of them have already hatched.
According to Niausdiario, 1,500 volunteers collaborated, doing surveillance shifts 24 hours a day since the day the nest was found.
Scientific and technical staff examined the turtles one by one as they were hatching.
This weekend, Catalonia experienced a storm that affected the entire country and the foundation staff waterproofed the nest by covering it so that it was not affected by the rain.
The loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are considered a protected and vulnerable species and according to the foundation, this is the first time they have ever been recorded laying eggs on a beach in Barcelona.
(T4 / ends)