Diana the loggerhead turtle has returned to Denia to lay eggs for the fourth time this summer.
The Xaloc association labelled it an ‘extraordinary occurrence’.
“It’s a real milestone for the conservation of the loggerhead turtle in the Valencia region,” they said.
Diana came ashore last night (Wednesday, July 23) to nest; and produced 30 eggs.
They were moved this morning to a more secure location further away from the shoreline, noted Xaloc.
Diana gained fame back in 2023 when she laid three sets of eggs at different nests in Denia over that summer.
She was microchipped at the time, which allowed marine biologists from Valencia university to identify her last month when she was spotted at the Marineta Cassiana by a couple walking along the beach.
In all, Diana laid 116 eggs in that first effort of the summer on June 15, 12 of which were taken to the Oceanogràfic sea life centre for their headstarting programme, which gives young turtles a much greater chance of survival.
The biologists fitted a new satellite transmitter to her shell before she returned to the sea to allow them to monitor her movements.
And sure enough, she was back.
The second coming at the Marineta Cassiana beach was at the end of June, with 78 eggs produced; 70 of which were taken to the protection zone on the beach and eight to the Oceanogràfic for incubation.
Diana’s third sortie to the same beach came on the night of July 8, with 77 eggs from the nest transported to the protection area.
Beachgoers are reminded that if they see a loggerhead turtle, a nest or turtle tracks on a beach they should call the 112 emergency number and the turtle protocol will swing into action.
Photos by Denia town hall, Xaloc and the Oceanogràfic.
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