The Palma Aquarium Foundation continues to build on its work to conserve and recover marine wildlife with the recent addition of a state-of-the-art therapeutic laser. This equipment will improve the veterinary treatments received by the sea turtles rescued along the Balearic coastline.
The incorporation of this new tool has been made possible thanks to the support of the Reina Sofía Foundation, which has had a collaboration agreement with the Palma Aquarium Foundation since 2019 to promote projects aimed at protecting and conserving marine fauna in the Mediterranean. In 2026, both organisations renewed this agreement, reaffirming their shared commitment to safeguarding sea turtles and other vulnerable species.
The new equipment will enable the application of advanced photobiomodulation treatments using a therapeutic laser, a technique used in veterinary medicine to reduce inflammation and pain, stimulate tissue regeneration, and accelerate wound healing processes.
This type of treatment is particularly valuable for addressing some of the most common injuries seen in the sea turtles admitted to the recovery centre, such as trauma caused by collisions with boats, wounds resulting from fishing nets, or damage caused by hooks.
Thanks to this technology, the veterinary team will be able to optimise the animals’ recovery processes, increasing their chances of returning to the sea in the best possible condition.
Two sea turtles currently undergoing rehabilitation at the centre – Leo and Sucre – are the first animals to benefit from this new technology.
Both are receiving therapeutic laser sessions as part of their recovery process, in order to support their healing and facilitate their future release back into the wild.
Over the years, Her Majesty Queen Sofía has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to this conservation work, visiting the Palma Aquarium Foundation’s recovery centre and taking part in the release of rehabilitated sea turtles.
The acquisition of the therapeutic laser was funded through the budget provided by the Reina Sofía Foundation. In addition, the veterinary‑equipment specialists Avanvet have joined this initiative by offering a 30% discount on the price of the equipment, given that the centre is dedicated to the recovery of marine fauna.
The Palma Aquarium Foundation responds to any incidents of strandings of sea turtles, cetaceans, and sharks in the Balearic Islands, a responsibility carried out with the authorisation of Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO by its Spanish initials). It is supported in this task by the Species Protection Service of the Balearic regional government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment.
Each year, the recovery centre receives numerous sea turtles, most of them affected by human‑related threats such as entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of plastics or collisions with boats.
During their stay at the centre, the animals receive specialised veterinary care, daily husbandry and continuous monitoring until they are fit to return to the sea.
The acquisition of this new therapeutic laser is a major step forward for the recovery centres’ clinical capabilities, allowing for improved treatments and supporting the rehabilitation of sea turtles prior to their release.
The Palma Aquarium Foundation is extremely grateful for the support of the Reina Sofía Foundation and the collaboration of Avanvet. Both entities play a vital role in boosting the centre’s capacity to continue protecting and rehabilitating sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
