Emergency Services Rescue Stranded Loggerhead Turtle in Tenerife

Emergency services in the Canary Islands stepped away from their usual duties this morning to help a loggerhead sea turtle in distress. The turtle was discovered in a vulnerable state on the beach at El Duque, in the Adeje municipality of Tenerife.

A team including the Tenerife Fire Consortium, the Adeje Volunteer Fire Department, and the Local Police coordinated the rescue. Their intervention followed standard wildlife protection protocols, which are vital for safeguarding protected species in an area where human activity and coastal damage remain ongoing threats.

Once the turtle was secured, it was transported to the La Tahonilla Wildlife Recovery Center. The center, managed by the Tenerife Island Council, is now providing the specialized medical care needed for the turtle’s rehabilitation. The goal is to nurse the animal back to health so it can eventually be released back into the ocean—a crucial step for the survival of this vulnerable species.