Belgian tourists witness rare loggerhead turtle nesting on Costa Blanca beach
The couple stumbled upon the incredible sight during a moonlit stroll in Torrevieja
A couple of Belgian tourists on the Costa Blanca were treated to a truly remarkable sight while taking a moonlit stroll along La Mata beach in Torrevieja during the early hours of Monday July 22 when they stumbled upon a loggerhead turtle coming ashore to lay her eggs.
This is only the fifth hatching of 2024 in all of Spain and the very first in the holiday hub of Torrevieja.
The couple, clearly well-informed on maritime conservation, immediately alerted the nearby Pura Vida beach bar, who initiated the loggerhead turtle nesting protocol by contacting the emergency services.
Sadly, every year, countless eggs fail to hatch because the mums-to-be are disturbed, so swift action is vital.
Local police arrived first, securing the area until the municipal biologist, Juan Antonio Pujol, and other experts could join them. The team from the University of Valencia, the Oceanogràfic Foundation and the regional protocol team all played their parts too as the long, anxious night unfolded.
In total, the turtle laid 63 eggs. Of these, 57 eggs will remain safely on La Mata beach, while 6 will be carefully incubated. The team from the University of Valencia marked the nest with a metal ring and relocated it to a protected area within the Municipal Natural Area of Molino del Agua. Volunteers will now monitor the nest around the clock, ensuring the safety of this precious cargo.
The entire operation, lasting from 1am to 12 noon, was a true community effort.
The incubation period is estimated to be approximately 2 months, with the hatchlings expected to emerge in around 50 to 70 days, depending on the temperatures of the sand.
The Valencian Community is leading the way in turtle conservation, with this being the fourth nest in the region so far this year. Elche has already been chosen by two expectant mums and the beach near Clot de Galvany became the first nesting site in Spain in mid-June.
Image: Crónicas Naturales de Torrevieja
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