Release of a turtle recovered during the IV International Meeting of Environmental Volunteering in the Canary Islands organized by the Association of Volunteers of Nature Assistance of Fuerteventura AVANFUER.
The beach of Butihondo in Pájara was chosen to make a release of the Caretta caretta turtle that had entered the recovery facilities on 4/21/19 as a result of citizen collaboration when picked up by a ship near the Morro Jable pier, The said turtle weighed 13.55kg upon admission showing signs of having suffered a boat collision. In the Sodade Turtle Nursery and Recovery Center of sea turtles in Fuerteventura he was diagnosed, not recent fractures necrosed in marginal shields and also involvement of the 5th vertebral shield and as well as adjacent sacks but in a more superficial way.
The Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Circular Economy and R & D & I Marlene Figueroa who opened the debates of the meeting on climate emergency has stressed that the fight against climate change will be a priority of the Cabildo and that it is very important that citizens and volunteers collaborate in the conservation of marine species such as turtles currently seriously threatened by plastic pollution and by the phenomena of climate change "is sobering said," that people who frequent the sea and detect a turtle in distress such as in this case, pick it up and put it in custody of the environmental teams of the Cabildo to be cured "
The release of the turtle was attended by more than fifty participants in the meeting and many families staying at the Hotel Robinson Esquinzo and users of Butihondo Beach where part of the workshops of the meeting were held.
The coordinator of the Yanira Cáceres Arocha meeting thanked the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, the Youth and Environment departments and the Department of Environment of the City of Puerto del Rosario, the Binter company and the Robinsón Esquinzo hotel for their collaboration and support to meet in Fuerteventura young volunteers from all over the Canary Islands.
The Fuerteventura Cabildo, through the Ministry of the Environment, directed by Marlene Figueroa, released today, Thursday, July 30, a specimen of the loggerhead turtle ( Caretta Caretta ) in Las Playitas, in the municipality of Tuineje. The animal was released after its recovery at the Morro Jable Turtle Recovery and Conservation Center.
In the release of the turtle, the Minister of Environment of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Marlene Figueroa, the Mayor of Tuineje, Esther Hernández, and the Councillor for the Environment, Vicente García, were present.
The turtle appeared stranded on March 11, in the Rosa del Agua area in Puerto del Rosario, presenting entanglement. The specimen was recovered thanks to the notice of a citizen.
The Minister for the Environment, Marlene Figueroa, highlighted the importance of citizen collaboration as one of the fundamental factors in the conservation of the species. In the case of sighting an injured specimen, it is necessary to give notice to 112.
The counsellor has also warned of the need to keep beaches clean, being the presence of plastics and other waste in the sea one of the main threats to this species. The Ministry recommends reducing the use of plastic products, especially single-use ones, as well as disposing of waste in a responsible way. The residues that most affect sea turtles are those derived from plastics, such as fishing gear, bags, containers, the rings of cans or straws.
Balance of 2020
So far this year, a total of 28 sea turtles, 27 of the Caretta Caretta species and one specimen of the Leatherback turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea) have appeared stranded on the coasts of the Island .
Of the 28 specimens that have appeared, 15 have been found stranded alive and the Morro Jable Turtle Recovery and Conservation Center has been transferred for proper care. Once admitted to the center, they are diagnosed to apply the appropriate treatment for each condition, with an average stay of between one and three months. The most common causes for entering the center are derived from human action: entanglements or ingestion of drifting garbage (fishing tackle, raffia, plastics), ingestion or adhesion of oil and other toxic substances, accidental fishing and collision with boats.
This 2020, the Ministry of Environment has released to the sea after its recovery a total of 9 turtles, all of the species Caretta Caretta , one of them entered the centre in 2018, four in 2019 and five in 2020.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura has released two specimens of loggerhead turtle(Caretta Caretta)in Ajuy, in the municipality of Pájara, after receiving the relevant care at the Center for Recovery and Conservation of Turtles of Morro Jable. In the act participated, as a farewell, the group of four students who carried out their practices during the month of August in the areas of Sustainability and Environmental Management. The Minister of Environmental Sustainability, Lola García, the Minister of Environmental Management, Pedro Martínez, as well as the councilors of the City of Pájara Alexis Alonso and Rodrigo Berdullas were present. The first specimen was collected on April 14 in Las Salinas (municipality of Antigua), with symptoms of thinness and dehydration, as well as gills with raffia in the left front and rear fins, neck and milder gill in the right front fin. The animal is now released with a weight of 4.15 kilograms. For its part, the second turtle was found on April 22 in Corralejo (municipality of La Oliva), entering the center by enmallamiento in front left fin, rear fins and neck. This second specimen also presented thinness and dehydration, with a weight of 4.85 kilograms in its release. After their release, both turtles return to their natural environment, within the framework of the 'Back home' project of the Cabildo's environmental education program, which tries to raise awareness about the release of rugged and recovered fauna. The Minister of Environmental Sustainability, Lola García, stressed the importance of citizen collaboration for the conservation of the species and recalled that it is necessary to notify 112 in the case of a sighting. The island official recalled that the waste that most affects sea turtles is derived from plastics, warning about the need to reduce their use and dispose of waste responsibly. Likewise, Lola García and Pedro Martínez thanked the trainees for their magnificent work during this summer training period, a time in which they have developed functions in social networks, the elaboration of a floristic guide of natural parks of Fuerteventura and the collaboration in a report of invasive species and rugged fauna, among other tasks. They also learned about the areas of the project for the recovery of steppe bird habitats, facilities of the Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura and participated in the Cofete revegetation project, as well as AVANFUER workshops.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the area of Environmental Sustainability, has released three specimens of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in Playa Blanca, in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario. The release was developed with the presence of schoolchildren from the CEIP Pablo Neruda.
Under the title 'Back home', the activity is part of the environmental education program 'Know to Protect'. "The objective of this type of activity is to raise awareness about the protection of nature through the release of rugged and recovered fauna," says the counselor of the area, Lola García.
The turtle specimens were found in different parts of the Majorera geography. The first of these was picked up by fishermen near the Morro Jable pier and delivered to the Turtle Recovery Center. He arrived with a large number of nets entangled in the left front fin and signs of necrosis. He was in a state of dehydration and anemic. Fortunately, he recovered favorably and was able to save his fin.
The second turtle was found in Grandes Playas de Corralejo, after a citizen call to 112. He arrived at the Recovery Center with a mesh with raffia, which exerted great compression on the left front fin. She was thin, dehydrated and anemic. He returns to the sea with his state of health restored and the fin completely recovered.
For its part, the third specimen was found in the pier of Morro Jable this month, sighted by water athletes, for which it was delivered to the Turtle Recovery Center. After carrying out the relevant studies, it was determined that their state of health was optimal.
During the release was present the first vice president of the Cabildo and Minister of Environmental Sustainability, Lola García, who highlighted the importance of environmental education as a pedagogical strategy that allows to know and raise awareness about the protection and conservation of the natural environment. He also thanked the citizen collaboration, fundamental for the conservation of the species, recalling that it is necessary to notify 112 in the case of sighting of a specimen of rugged fauna.
The environmental education program 'Know to protect' includes a total of four projects, covering aspects such as respect for natural spaces, knowledge about the Majorero coast, trails, species conservation and the recovery of rugged fauna.
The projects are 'De Vuelta a Casa', 'Litoral a la Vista', 'Conservando nuestros especies y nuestro territorio' and 'Huellas Verdes', to which new ones will be added. Not only schoolchildren can participate in them, but they are also open to groups and associations in Fuerteventura.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the Environmental Sustainability area, has released a specimen of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in Grandes Playas, in the municipality of La Oliva. The release took place today, Thursday, April 28, with the presence of schoolchildren from CEIP Villaverde. Under the title 'Back home', the activity is part of the environmental education program 'Know to Protect'. "The objective of this type of activity is to raise awareness about the protection of nature through the release of rugged and recovered fauna," says Lola García, counselor of the area. The turtle released today arrived at the Turtle Recovery Center of Fuerteventura on January 17, after a warning from the Local Police of Gran Tarajal, with a gillnet that had caused several frictions and a slight anemia. He entered with a weight of 5.81 kg and leaves with 6.40 kg. García highlights the importance of environmental education as a pedagogical strategy that allows us to know and raise awareness about the protection and conservation of the natural environment. He also thanked the citizen collaboration, fundamental for the conservation of the species, recalling that it is necessary to notify 112 in the case of sighting of a specimen of rugged fauna. The environmental education program 'Know to protect' includes a total of four projects, covering aspects such as respect for natural spaces, knowledge about the Majorero coast, trails, species conservation and the recovery of rugged fauna. The projects are 'De Vuelta a Casa', 'Litoral a la Vista', 'Conservando nuestros especies y nuestro territorio' and 'Huellas Verdes', to which new ones will be added. Not only schoolchildren can participate in them, but they are also open to groups and associations in Fuerteventura.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the Ministry of Environmental Sustainability, directed by Lola García, has commemorated World Turtle Day with the visit of 31 third grade schoolchildren from the CEIP Barranco del Ciervo to the facilities of the Center for Recovery and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Every June 16 is commemorated the World Day of Sea Turtles, one of the most threatened species on the planet. Therefore, the Ministry of Environmental Sustainability considers it vitally important to inform schoolchildren of the conservation and protection efforts of this species that are carried out in Fuerteventura, as well as worldwide. The Ministry of Environmental Sustainability recalls that visits with schoolchildren to the Center for Recovery and Conservation of Sea Turtles are part of the environmental education program 'Know to Protect'. Specifically within the project 'Back home' aimed at raising awareness about the protection of sea turtles, which also includes talks in institutes and release of specimens recovered at sea.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura moves two specimens of blind loggerhead turtle to Poema del Mar.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the Ministry of Environmental Sustainability, directed by Lola García, has moved two specimens of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) irrecoverable to the Poema del Mar aquarium. The objective of the relocation is that these irrecoverable specimens can enjoy a better quality of life in facilities appropriate to their size.
The first specimen appeared on January 15, 2013 in shock, without response to external stimuli. He had chronic dehydration of the conjunctiva and cornea of both eyes, which led to bilateral blindness.
The second specimen was found on July 29, 2014. It had a severe gill in the right front fin, in a state of thinness and with a caudal wound (caused by propeller or shark) in its shell. Absence of part of the rear fins. His wounds healed, but due to the loss of structure of the shell, he presents deformation in it with narrowing at the level of central shields, which affects the ability to float and swim.
These turtles, due to their physical characteristics, cannot be returned to the sea because they are considered irrecoverable, according to medical reports. However, in the event that the animals change their condition, from non-recoverable to recoverable - at the discretion of the responsible official bodies - these specimens would be reintroduced into the wild.
This measure has been possible thanks to the collaboration agreement that the Cabildo de Fuerteventura signed with Loro Parque Fundación, Loro Parque and Poema del Mar in 2020. The agreement also includes the development of a videoconference program with educational centers in Fuerteventura, through which students can learn about the history of these turtles, the work of the Fuerteventura recovery center and the project to restore a colony of sea turtles in Fuerteventura.
What should you know before visiting the Fuerteventura Sea Turtle Recovery and Conservation Centre?
Due to the large influx of visits that the Center for recovery and Conservation of Sea Turtles of Fuerteventura is receiving, the Ministry of Environmental Sustainability, directed by Lola García, recalls some of the measures and precautions that we must take into account when visiting the center.
The opening hours to the public are maintained from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, except holidays. Occasionally the center may remain closed for reasons of maintenance or management of the same.
Seating is limited. We must be patient and wait our turn.
Remember not to go to the center with food. Turtles have a diet adapted to the specific needs of each specimen and should not be fed.
During our stay in the center we must maintain order and silence. Noise can disturb animals and cause them stress.
We must avoid taking photos with flash or bringing the phone closer to the pools, as it could fall into them.
Throughout the visit we must remain in the area bounded for it.
Remember that you visit a recovery center, be respectful of the turtles that are in it.
Two specimens of turtles rescued by Environment return to the sea.
This morning, Tuesday, March 28, two turtles were released in Playa Blanca, after their recovery at the island-owned Recovery Center.
'Knowing to protect'
The return to the sea of the two turtle specimens, as part of the environmental education program 'Know to Protect' of the Ministry of Environmental Sustainability, was facilitated by technicians from the Island Council and was attended by schoolchildren from CEIP Tefía and Sagrado Corazón school, who were able to receive guidance to promote awareness about the protection of sea turtles.
Sergio Lloret highlighted, in the presence of the schoolchildren, the importance of "not intervening before the discovery of a stranded turtle. We must not try to return it to the sea, because, although we think it is a good or beautiful gesture, in the long run it can be worse for the animal in danger. "
Animal safety and protection
The vice president and head of the Environmental Sustainability Area also stressed the importance of following the recommendations on animal safety and protection and, in the case of the discovery of a stranded animal, "the first thing we have to do is call 112 so that people with the appropriate knowledge on the subject can properly help the animals", Juan Nicolás Cabrera said.
The two turtle specimens released today come from the Center for Recovery and Conservation of Sea Turtles of Fuerteventura, after having completed the recovery period necessary to be in the right conditions for their return to the sea.
One of them was picked up on January 20 of this year on the beach of Jablito, in a very weak state, with serious signs of anemia, symptoms of dehydration, in addition to presenting several frictions on his body.
The second turtle was found on the beach of Aguas Verdes on September 19 of last year, with serious gillnet in the right front fin and slight gillnet in the rest of the limbs. In addition, he had symptoms of dehydration and an advanced state of thinness.
Today, the two recovered, have been able to swim free again to the applause of the school spectators of the return to the waves of the two specimens.
We are privileged to meet these lovely creatures underwater and we know which ones have been released after nursing, as unfortunately although great care is taken to ensure they do not get used to humans they are intelligent and do.
Our action if we meet a "tame" one is to move away and eventually they get the message.
They are lovely to see any time but in their own environment they are fantastic, and boy do they swim fast with such little effort.
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