Two rescued loggerhead sea turtles were returned to the waters off Lanzarote after months of rehabilitation on Tuesday, 16^th June, marking a heartwarming success story on World Sea Turtle Day.

The turtles, named José and Margarita, were released back into the ocean at Guacimeta Beach in the municipality of San Bartolomé after recovering from serious injuries that would likely have proved fatal without intervention.

The release was organised by the Environmental Department of the Lanzarote Cabildo as part of the awareness campaign "The Sea Unites Us, Give It Life – Lanzarote and La Graciosa", led by the Canary Islands environmental association ADACIS (Association for the Development of Comprehensive Climate Actions).

More than 80 pupils from CEIP Playa Honda attended the event, having first taken part in educational talks about sea turtles, their role in marine ecosystems and the rehabilitation process that helped the animals recover.

Two Very Different Rescue Stories

José was discovered on Famara Beach on 31st January in an extremely weakened condition and missing one eye.

Margarita was found just over a month later, on 4th March, near El Golfo. She had suffered multiple injuries after becoming entangled in the plastic fibres of a raffia sack that had ended up in the sea.

Following several months of specialist veterinary care and rehabilitation, both turtles were deemed fit enough to return to their natural habitat.

A Vulnerable Species

Both turtles belong to the loggerhead turtle species (Caretta caretta), which is classified as vulnerable and is one of the most commonly seen sea turtle species in Canary Islands waters.

Other protected species regularly found around the archipelago include:

• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

All are protected under international, national and regional conservation laws and play an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

One of the turtles returns to the ocean on Guacimeta beach, in Playa Honda. (Image: ADACIS)

Threats Facing Sea Turtles in the Canary Islands

Conservation groups say sea turtles continue to face numerous dangers in local waters, many of them caused by human activity.

The main threats include:

• Marine litter and pollution
• Entanglement in discarded fishing gear and drifting nets
• Ingestion of plastic waste
• Boat strikes and collisions with vessels
• Injuries caused by floating debris

Entanglement can lead to amputations, suffocation and severe weakening, while plastic ingestion remains one of the biggest long-term threats to sea turtle populations worldwide.

How to Report an Injured Animal

Environmental group ADACIS used the release to remind residents and visitors that injured or distressed wildlife should be reported immediately.

In Lanzarote, sightings of injured wild animals can be reported to the Wildlife Rescue Service on 696 733 177, or alternatively through 112 or the Lanzarote Emergency and Safety Consortium.

The successful return to the sea of José and Margarita serves as both a celebration of conservation efforts on the island and a reminder of the challenges marine wildlife continues to face in Canary Islands waters.