The body of a sea turtle was discovered on Famara beach this week. The animal had apparently died after consuming plastic waste.
The loggerhead sea turtle is found in waters all round Lanzarote. It often mistakes plastic waste for the jellyfish that form part of its diet, and several turtles have been rescued and freed of fishing waste.
The bathers who discovered the dead turtle called for Lanzarote to create a sustainable waste management plan, saying that non-degradable waste caused a “real threat” to the island’s wildlife. The Wildlife Protection department of the Cabildo said incidents like this were “not occasional”.
Another turtle was rescued near Puerto del Carmen in August this year, and last week another specimen was returned to the ocean near Órzola.
If you find a turtle, or any other wild creature, in trouble, you are advised to call the Wildlife Recovery Service on 696 733 177, or call 112.
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