The Balearic Government has released 34 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) born this summer on Can Pere Antoni beach in Palma. The release took place yesterday at 5:00 p.m. at the same spot where the nest was found last July.
Moment of the release of the 34 sea turtles on Can Pere Antoni beach. Photos: CAIB.
The nest contained 77 eggs, of which 63 hatchlings successfully emerged between 6 and 7 September. Ten eggs were moved to an incubator to ensure their viability.
Of these hatchlings, 39 individuals were included in the “Head Starting” 2025–2026 programme, led by the Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears (COFIB). This project, developed in collaboration with other autonomous communities, raises the turtles for almost a year in a controlled environment to increase their chances of survival and study the early stages of their life. The animals have been distributed among the Marine Research and Aquaculture Laboratory (LIMIA) in Port d’Andratx, the Marine Animal Recovery Centre (CRAM) in Catalonia, the Palma Aquarium Foundation, the Visitor Centre of Cabrera National Park, and the aquariums of Seville and Gijón.
The 34 remaining turtles, now fully developed, returned yesterday to their natural habitat at Can Pere Antoni, in a public event that brought together many institutions and local residents.
Coordinated work between administrations, research centres and conservation organisations
The Director General of Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres, stated during the release that “this type of action demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated work between administrations, research centres and conservation organisations, and confirms that the Balearic Islands have a well-established response system for new nesting cases.” Torres also highlighted that “the consolidation of these protocols allows not only to improve the reproductive success of the species, but also to obtain essential scientific information about its biology and adaptation to the western Mediterranean.”
In addition to Torres, the event was attended by the Director General of Environment of Palma City Council, Sebastià Pujol, along with representatives from COFIB, the Palma Aquarium Foundation, LIMIA, the Natura Parc Foundation and numerous volunteers who helped monitor and guard the nest.
The sea turtle, a vulnerable species
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is listed as a vulnerable species in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species. Although its reproduction is common in the eastern Mediterranean, since the early 21st century nests have also been recorded in the western Mediterranean, a phenomenon linked to the increase in sea temperature.
Five loggerhead turtles inside the container that transported them to the beach, moments before being released into the sea.
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