Nearly 300 loggerhead turtles returned to the sea from Murcia's coastline since 2019

The Region of Murcia is becoming one of the Mediterranean's most important breeding areas for loggerhead turtles

Murcia has become one of the most important places for the vulnerable loggerhead turtles to nest in the western Mediterranean, with almost 300 turtles returning to the sea from the Region's beaches over the past six years.

More and more female loggerhead turtles choose Murcia's coastline to lay their eggs. This year alone, two out of every three loggerhead turtle nests recorded in Spain have been found in the Region of Murcia.

The latest milestone came on Tuesday July 14 when 28 young loggerhead turtles were released into the Mediterranean from the beaches of Calblanque Regional Park after successfully completing their first year of life as part of a conservation programme.

Each turtle has been fitted with a tiny microchip, allowing researchers to follow their movements and learn more about where they travel once they leave the Murcian coast.

Since the first loggerhead turtle nest was discovered in the Region of Murcia in 2019, a total of 293 turtles have been released back into the wild. The figure includes turtles born on the Region's beaches as well as injured turtles that were rescued and rehabilitated at the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre.

Regional President Fernando López Miras, who attended Tuesday's release, said Murcia has become "a reference point for a vulnerable and threatened species such as the loggerhead turtle". He also thanked the veterinarians, environmental officers, emergency services, security forces and volunteers whose work has helped protect the species.

Giving young turtles the best possible start

The turtles released this week hatched from a nest discovered in Calblanque Regional Park in July last year.

Rather than being released immediately after hatching, they spent around a year being cared for under a conservation method known as headstarting. The technique allows young turtles to grow in a safe environment during the earliest and most vulnerable stage of their lives before being returned to the sea, giving them a much better chance of surviving in the wild.

Over the past year, the turtles have been looked after at several specialist centres, including IMIDA in the Region of Murcia, Valencia's Oceanogràfic and the Marine Animal Recovery Centre at Bioparc Aquarium Gijón in Asturias.

After arriving in Asturias in October 2025, each turtle received individual care, including regular health checks, blood tests and growth monitoring, before finally returning to the Mediterranean this week.

Volunteers helping to protect Murcia's nesting turtles

Behind the growing number of turtle nests is a large network of volunteers who help protect them.
Sixteen local associations now work together to monitor Murcia's coastline, looking for signs that turtles have come ashore to nest. They help protect nesting sites, prevent people from disturbing them and alert the authorities whenever turtle tracks or nests are found.

The regional government says it is now the largest volunteer network in Spain dedicated specifically to loggerhead turtle conservation.

Anyone who comes across a turtle or possible nesting site is being asked to keep their distance, avoid using torches or mobile phone lights, and call the emergency services on 112 immediately.

Another busy nesting season for Murcia

This year's nesting season is already continuing the positive trend.

The first nest was found in La Manga on July 3 and contained 75 eggs. Just five days later, a second nest containing 92 eggs was discovered at Cala de los Dentoles in Calblanque Regional Park.

Together, the two nests contain 167 eggs and are being carefully protected and monitored. If everything goes to plan, they are expected to hatch during the second half of August.

The discoveries bring the total number of loggerhead turtle nests recorded in the Region of Murcia to 11 since records began, highlighting how the coastline is becoming an increasingly important breeding area for the species.

The progress has been driven by the regional government's Territorio Tortuga (Turtle Territory) programme, which combines conservation work with public education and a growing network of volunteers.

Images: CARM