Return to the sea after months of recovery the turtle stranded in Benidorm last July

The turtle that last July appeared stranded and injured in waters of Benidorm has returned to the sea today after nine months in the facilities of the ARCA del Mar (Area of Recovery and Conservation of Sea Animals), the 'hospital' of l ' Oceanogràfic de València managed by Avanqua, of the Global Omnium group. Baptized with the name of 'Benidorm', this exemplary young man of about 7 kilos, is already fully recovered from the bone infection that was detected and has been able to return to its habitat.

Staff from the Town Hall, the Oceanogràfic and the Serra Gelada Natural Park have released the animal about 500 meters from the coast. Previously, and attended at all times by veterinarians, the turtle has visited the Plaza Sus Majestades Reyes of Spain, where the mayor, Toni Pérez, and the councilor for Environment, José Ramón González de Zárate, have remembered when and how it was located , and they have reported the treatment it has received during these months.

The mayor explained that during the recovery period, the specimen has undergone three surgeries to save one of the fins. In addition, he has received treatment in a hyperbaric chamber.

Pérez recalled that the turtle was spotted by "an anonymous swimmer" who "in a coherent action, after removing the plastic wrapped around the fin, handed it to the lifeguard personnel." Automatically, the City Council activated the "protocol" of stranding, taking charge of the turtle the Oceanogràfic and the Cavanilles Institute, whose specialists found that in addition to a skin wound the animal suffered an infection that could cause the loss of the fin.

The mayor thanked the Oceanogràfic de València, the Natural Park of Serra Gelada, the Local Police and the staff of the Department of the Environment; and has indicated that 'Benidorm' has installed a chip that will allow its control once reintroduced into its habitat.