Around 70 loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings have emerged from an unnoticed nest on El Torres beach in Villajoyosa, according to the local town council. The event took place on Sunday afternoon, 23rd August, when a young swimmer spotted one of the tiny turtles moving across the sand and raised the alarm.
Following the initial discovery, local emergency services and the local police received several calls, triggering the official wildlife rescue protocol. Specialists quickly arrived at the scene, located the hidden nest, and conducted thorough checks to monitor its condition and search for any remaining hatchlings inside. Experts from the Oceanogràfic de València and the NGO Xaloc also travelled to the location to assist.
In total, the operation accounted for around 70 hatchlings. The vast majority of the young turtles were released directly into the Mediterranean Sea from El Torres beach. Meanwhile, about ten hatchlings were taken to the Oceanogràfic de València facility to enter a specialised “head-starting” conservation programme. Under this scheme, the turtles will spend their first few months of life in a controlled environment with expert care, boosting their growth and survival chances before being returned to the wild.
The Mayor of Villajoyosa, Marcos Zaragoza, described the occurrence on El Torres beach as a moment that highlights the town’s valuable natural heritage. He noted that seeing the young turtles reach the sea from one of the town’s beaches was an exceptional event for the entire municipality, reinforcing the need to protect the local coastline. Zaragoza also praised the cooperation of residents and beachgoers, alongside the swift action taken by all emergency professionals involved in the rescue operation.
The Councillor for Beaches and Environment, Carlos Soler, who visited the beach during the intervention, stated that the birth of the turtles was an exceptional event showcasing the high environmental value of the coastline. He emphasised that local beaches are living ecosystems that require protection and care, far beyond being simply areas for recreation.
