Benchmark indicators for evaluating sea turtle rehabilitation outcomes at a wildlife rehabilitation center on Tenerife island, Spain (1982–2025)
- 1La Tahonilla Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Cabildo de Tenerife) , , ,
- 2Department of Morphology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) , , ,
Abstract
Background
Sea turtle rehabilitation is widely practiced worldwide, yet standardized benchmark indicators for objectively evaluating rehabilitation quality are currently lacking. This study aimed to establish and evaluate a set of benchmark indicators for assessing rehabilitation outcomes in sea turtles while providing long-term epidemiological information on the principal causes of admission to a wildlife rehabilitation center.Methods
A retrospective study included 2,278 sea turtle admission records from the La Tahonilla Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (LTWRC), Tenerife, Spain, between 1982 and 2025. After excluding eight readmission records, the first-admission dataset comprised 2,270 individual turtles: 2,216 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and 54 green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Rehabilitation performance was evaluated using cause-specific benchmark indicators, including euthanasia (Er), unassisted mortality during hospitalization (Mr), and release (Rr) rates, time to final disposition, post-release readmissions, and standardized rehabilitation costs.Results
Entanglement in fishing gear and/or plastic materials was the most common cause at first admission (42.8%), whereas unknown/undetermined causes predominated among turtles dead on first admission (63.9%). Outcomes for turtles alive at first admission were Er = 1.4%, Mr = 12.5%, and Rr = 86%. Rehabilitation outcome was strongly influenced by the primary cause of admission, with entanglement associated with significantly higher odds of release, whereas trauma, hook/monofilament ingestion, and infectious disease were associated with significantly higher unassisted mortality. Among hospitalization episodes resulting in release, median rehabilitation time ranged from 10 days for crude oil exposure to 37 days for trauma. Post-release readmissions were uncommon (16/1,560 turtles; 1.0%), accounting for 22 readmission events; all 20 events involving turtles admitted alive resulted in release. Rehabilitation costs differed mainly according to the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures required, whereas fixed costs represented the largest cost component in most admission categories.Conclusion
This study provides one of the largest and longest-term evaluations of sea turtle rehabilitation to date and establishes practical benchmark indicators for objectively assessing rehabilitation quality. Beyond their clinical relevance, these indicators provide an evidence-based framework to improve rehabilitation management, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen the contribution of veterinary medicine to wildlife conservation, conservation management, and evidence-based policy development.
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BibTeX
@article{trujillocamejo2026benchmark,
title = {{Benchmark indicators for evaluating sea turtle rehabilitation outcomes at a wildlife rehabilitation center on Tenerife island, Spain (1982–2025)}},
author = {Felipe Trujillo-Camejo and Natalia Montesdeoca and Sara Capelli and Carmen D. Méndez-Corona and Jorge Orós},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fvets.2026.1948954},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13726524},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Benchmark indicators for evaluating sea turtle rehabilitation outcomes at a wildlife rehabilitation center on Tenerife island, Spain (1982–2025)
AU - Felipe Trujillo-Camejo
AU - Natalia Montesdeoca
AU - Sara Capelli
AU - Carmen D. Méndez-Corona
AU - Jorge Orós
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in veterinary science
DO - 10.3389/fvets.2026.1948954
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13726524
AB - Background Sea turtle rehabilitation is widely practiced worldwide, yet standardized benchmark indicators for objectively evaluating rehabilitation quality are currently lacking. This study aimed to establish and evaluate a set of benchmark indicators for assessing rehabilitation outcomes in sea turtles while providing long-term epidemiological information on the principal causes of admission to a wildlife rehabilitation center.Methods A retrospective study included 2,278 sea turtle admission records from the La Tahonilla Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (LTWRC), Tenerife, Spain, between 1982 and 2025. After excluding eight readmission records, the first-admission dataset comprised 2,270 individual turtles: 2,216 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and 54 green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Rehabilitation performance was evaluated using cause-specific benchmark indicators, including euthanasia (Er), unassisted mortality during hospitalization (Mr), and release (Rr) rates, time to final disposition, post-release readmissions, and standardized rehabilitation costs.Results Entanglement in fishing gear and/or plastic materials was the most common cause at first admission (42.8%), whereas unknown/undetermined causes predominated among turtles dead on first admission (63.9%). Outcomes for turtles alive at first admission were Er = 1.4%, Mr = 12.5%, and Rr = 86%. Rehabilitation outcome was strongly influenced by the primary cause of admission, with entanglement associated with significantly higher odds of release, whereas trauma, hook/monofilament ingestion, and infectious disease were associated with significantly higher unassisted mortality. Among hospitalization episodes resulting in release, median rehabilitation time ranged from 10 days for crude oil exposure to 37 days for trauma. Post-release readmissions were uncommon (16/1,560 turtles; 1.0%), accounting for 22 readmission events; all 20 events involving turtles admitted alive resulted in release. Rehabilitation costs differed mainly according to the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures required, whereas fixed costs represented the largest cost component in most admission categories.Conclusion This study provides one of the largest and longest-term evaluations of sea turtle rehabilitation to date and establishes practical benchmark indicators for objectively assessing rehabilitation quality. Beyond their clinical relevance, these indicators provide an evidence-based framework to improve rehabilitation management, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen the contribution of veterinary medicine to wildlife conservation, conservation management, and evidence-based policy development.
SN - 2297-1769
ER -