The Government of the Balearic Islands has announced the birth of the first loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings from the nest detected earlier this summer at Can Pere Antoni beach in Palma. So far, a total of 62 hatchlings have been recorded, although more could emerge in the coming hours.
Balearic Government announces first hatchlings of loggerhead turtles at Can Pere Antoni
On July 17th, a total of 77 eggs were confirmed in this nest: 67 were left under protection on the beach for natural incubation, while 10 were moved to the Aula de la Mar marine centre for artificial incubation. Almost two months later, the effort is paying off: 10 turtles hatched last Friday at the incubation facility, and on the morning of September 6th, the first natural emergence from the nest occurred. Since then, new hatchlings have appeared, bringing the total to 62.
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Joint effort and round-the-clock surveillance
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, expressed his gratitude to the Consortium for the Recovery of Wildlife of the Balearic Islands (COFIB), as well as to the City Council of Palma, collaborating entities, and the volunteers who have guarded the nest 24 hours a day since August 27th.
“Their vigilance has been vital to keeping the nest safe and detecting each hatching immediately. I also want to thank the public for respecting the protected area, which has allowed us to maintain a safe environment for the species,” said Simonet.
The Director General of Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres, highlighted that September and October are the most likely months to detect hatchlings. She urged citizens to call 112 immediately if they encounter newborn turtles, so that the official protocol can be activated to protect both the animals and their nest.
From Can Pere Antoni to the conservation program
As per protocol, all hatchlings are transferred to the Marine Research and Aquaculture Laboratory (LIMIA) in Port d’Andratx, where they undergo identification, biometric data collection, and a health check. They are then enrolled in the head-starting program, which raises them in controlled conditions for 10 to 12 months to increase their survival chances before being released into the sea.
In addition to COFIB, the project also involves the Palma Aquarium Foundation, the lifeguard team of Playa de Palma, Aula de la Mar, and the environmental agents of the Balearic Government.
Second nest in the Balearic Islands this summer
The Can Pere Antoni nest is not the only one recorded in 2025. On August 7th, another was confirmed at Es Cavallet beach in Ibiza, within the Ses Salines Natural Park, containing 85 eggs.
The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is classified as “vulnerable”. In recent years, sightings and nesting attempts in the Balearic Islands have become increasingly frequent. The first confirmed nest in the archipelago was recorded in 2019 in Ibiza, marking the beginning of a new conservation challenge for the region.