The specimens were released in the presence of 120 children from different summer camps.
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the Department of Environment, has released today three specimens of loggerhead turtles(Caretta caretta) in Grandes Playas de Corralejo. The activity has been part of the environmental education project ‘De Vuelta a Casa’ (Back Home) of the Department of Environment, with the presence of a group of 60 children from the summer camp of the cultural association DATSIMAAL of Villaverde.
The turtles were found on April 8 in Morro Jable (Pájara), April 11 in Cotillo (La Oliva) and June 18 in Caleta de Fuste (Antigua), respectively, all of them showing injuries due to entanglement in marine garbage or fishing nets, one of the main threats to this species. The turtles are now released once they have been cared for and recovered at the Center for the Recovery and Conservation of Sea Turtles in Morro Jable.
Within the project ‘Back Home’, this same week have been released, also, two young eaglets that were cared for in the Biological Station of La Oliva, dependent of the insular Corporation. In this case with the presence of another 60 children from the summer camp of the City Council of La Oliva.
The eaglets were found last July 5 and 6 in the areas of La Lajita and Agua de Bueyes, respectively, showing symptoms of exhaustion and dehydration. The specimens were attended and cared for in the wildlife recovery center of the Biological Station of La Oliva, which has flight cages, asylum, first aid clinic and ICU. Once recovered, they were released.
The activity was attended by the Councilor for the Environment, Carlos Rodríguez, the Councilor for Sports and Youth, Gleiber Carreño, and other municipal representatives.
Councilor Carlos Rodriguez highlighted some activities that are part of the program ‘Know to Protect’, in this case the project ‘Back Home’, which seeks to raise awareness among schoolchildren and the general population about the need for protection and conservation of wildlife in Fuerteventura. In this sense, he thanked the coordination with the City Council of La Oliva and DATSIMAAL association that has enabled the participation of children of the municipality in this activity.
He also recalled the importance of informing 112 of any finding of injured or endangered wildlife, “being citizen collaboration crucial to act quickly and effectively in the protection of our biodiversity”.
