Seven sea turtles are accompanied in Dénia on their first contact with the sea

Seven sea turtles (Caretta caretta) born in August last year in one of the nests on Albaranes beach in Dénia have been released this morning in the waters of Dénia.

Turtle released in Dénia

These are seven of the 62 specimens that survived to hatching. These babies were taken to the Oceanogràfic de València at birth to participate in the head-starting survival programme, which plans to release them when they reach one year of age.
Newborn sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are very vulnerable to predators such as crabs, birds and fish due to their small size. It is estimated that in the first few days mortality reaches 90% and that only 1 in 1000 specimens will reach adulthood. Those bred in captivity within head-starting projects have a better chance of survival because when they are released they are of a size that greatly reduces predation. The turtles released today in Dénia have already reached a weight that ranges between one and one and a half kilograms.

Turtles released on Dénia beach

To assess the survival and adaptation to the environment of the specimens released today and to understand their movements, the Universitat Politècnica de València has placed satellite transmitters on the turtles' shells. These devices will come off in a few months as they grow, without causing harm to the animal and will allow basic information to be obtained about this species in a little-known phase of life in the open sea.

Vicent Grimalt with his turtle, Llum

Before being released, each specimen has been baptized to facilitate its identification during tracking. The mayor, Vicent Grimalt, who has chosen the name of his own Llum, the name of a volunteer who took care of the nest last summer, has participated in the activity along with representatives of the other entities organizing the event together with the Dénia City Council - the Fundació Oceanogràfic, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the University of Valencia and the NGO Eucrante-, from collaborating entities such as Baleària and some of the people who spotted the nests and reported them and guarded them.