Rare green turtle, uncommon in the Canary Islands, released in Fuerteventura
A rare green turtle (Chelonia mydas) weighing 6.6 kilograms has been successfully returned to the wild along the northern coast of Fuerteventura, thanks to the quick actions of a concerned citizen. This species is not commonly found in the Canary Islands, making this rescue even more significant.
The story began back in June when a local fisherman accidentally caught the young turtle on his line. Instead of trying to handle the situation himself, he did the smart thing—he immediately called 112, the emergency services. The response was swift, and thanks to the detailed information provided by the fisherman, a rescue team was able to locate the turtle. A veterinary team at the Morro Jable Turtle Recovery and Conservation Center carefully removed the hook and nursed the turtle back to health.
Carlos Rodríguez, the island's Environmental Councilor, emphasized how vital it is for the public to report any incidents involving wildlife. He reminded everyone that if you ever spot a turtle with a hook or fishing line, you should never pull on the line. Instead, you should cut it if it’s too long and always call emergency services (112) to ensure the animal gets the professional care it needs. This kind of citizen action is crucial for the survival of these endangered creatures.
A Rare Visitor
The green turtle, known for its flat shell and distinctive green color, is a rare sight in the Canary Islands, especially during its juvenile phase. Most of these turtles hail from colonies in the Caribbean and along the African coast. What makes the green turtle unique is that it’s the only herbivorous species in its family once it reaches adulthood, feeding mainly on seagrasses and algae. These turtles can grow to impressive sizes, with lengths of up to 150 centimeters and weights averaging around 160 kilograms, though some have been recorded at a whopping 300 kilograms!
Tracking Turtles: Protecting the Sentinels of Climate Change
This successful rescue and release is part of a broader effort by the Fuerteventura government to protect and recover marine turtles. The island participates in the 'Tortugas Oceanográficas' project, a collaborative initiative with ADS Biodiversidad and various scientific and academic institutions. The project involves releasing turtles equipped with satellite tracking devices to study their movements and gather oceanographic data across the Macaronesia region.
In 2023, three loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) named Albi, Chofe, and Ajuy were released with these tracking devices. Ajuy, the most recent release, has remained close to Fuerteventura, exploring the waters around the Islote de Lobos and the southern coast of Lanzarote, diving as deep as 120 meters to feed.
On May 9th, three more turtles—Simon, Willy, and Anis—were set free on the beach of Cofete in the municipality of Pájara. These turtles are now key players in a program that aims to better understand their role as indicators of climate change. For instance, Simon has been spotted traveling between Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, diving in search of food.
The team behind this initiative, which includes marine turtle experts from ADS Biodiversidad, oceanographers from the OFyGA research group at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and technicians from the Fuerteventura government, will be collecting and analyzing all the data gathered by these turtles.
For those interested in tracking the progress of these remarkable creatures, the data is available on the project’s website under the section titled "Sentinels of Climate Change." This project not only aids in the conservation of these turtles but also contributes to our understanding of the impacts of climate change on marine life.
