Data on strandings and behaviour of sea turtles in Tenerife and surveys in Wildlife Recovery centres.
Description
There are currently numerous interactions between anthropogenic activities and wildlife. These activities have caused a decline in sea turtle populations in recent decades. Spanish waters, both on the mainland and on the islands, are staging grounds for these animals, which spend part of their life cycle there, mainly for Caretta caretta. However, it is in these same waters where they are threatened due to various causes of stranding. This study attempts to gain an in-depth understanding of the different phases of the rehabilitation process of these animals at the WRC "La Tahonilla" in Tenerife, Canary Islands. It also aims to learn about the development of this process in the different rehabilitation centres aimed at recovering sea turtles on the mainland and the Canary Islands. We have also studied in depth the process of dealing with a stranded sea turtle in the Canary Islands, which do not have their own recovery centre. The results of this study have revealed the existence of different protocols for action between centres and islands. The improvement and unification of these protocols is of vital importance to improve the rehabilitation of sea turtles in Spain.