SHELL-TER SUCCESS

Catherine McGeer

OVER the past 10 years the Region of Murcia’s relentless efforts has led to the liberation of more than 30 loggerhead sea turtles. This extraordinary effort really highlights the regional government’s dedication to safeguarding biodiversity. On Thursday, August 10 the 33rd loggerhead sea turtle was released with the help of the acting president for the Region of Murcia Fernando López Miras.

The young turtle that was released measured 54cm long and weighed 21.8 kg had been entangled and injured in the waters of Cabo de Palos. The El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre provided essential care to treat the turtle so he could be released again into the wild.

The loggerhead turtle is categorised as vulnerable in the Special Protection Regime list and the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species with an ‘endangered’ status by the IUCN. Threats such as plastic ingestion, entanglement, and habitat dis­

MURCIA’S beekeepers have reported a remarkable surge in honey production. While beekeepers had initially grappled with a lack of rainfall affecting pollen availability, spring rains in May and June emerged as unexpected saviours.

The timely storms played a vital role in preserving bee colonies before the arrival of scorch ­ ruption challenge their survival. However, the success stories of rescued loggerhead turtles give us hope.

After the release, López Miras said “The protection of the environment and the species of our ecosystem is