NEED TO KNOW
- Two blue dragons, or Glaucus atlanticus, were found on the beaches of Guardamar del Segura in the Alicante province of Spain on Wednesday, Aug. 20
- The presence of the poisonous animal caused the beaches to be closed
- The beaches were reopened on Thursday, Aug. 21
The beaches of Guardamar del Segura in the Alicante province of Spain were closed on Wednesday, Aug. 20, after two blue dragons, or Glaucus atlanticus, were found in the waters.
José Luis Sáez, the mayor of Guardamar del Segura, announced on X that swimming was prohibited following “the appearance on Vivers Beach of two specimens of Glaucus atlanticus, known as the Blue Dragon.” The beaches of Guardamar del Segura span seven miles, per Sky News.
With his announcement, Sáez added two photos of the blue dragons, which are typically about four centimeters in length.
They are known to be foraging predators with tentacles that hold highly poisonous stinging cells, used for both hunting and self-defense, explains the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Sáez warned residents not to touch the slithering creatures, even with gloves.
“Notify lifeguards or authorities. If stung, rinse with salt water and go to a first aid station or health center. These are poisonous specimens, and their bite causes nausea, pain, and vomiting,” he said.
Sáez said that the Guardamar City Council has implemented a preventive measure to detect possible specimens swept away by ocean currents.
The presence of the sloths, though, caused the local police in Guardamar del Segura to issue their own warning.
“Contact with this marine animal can be dangerous and cause painful skin burns. We ask residents and visitors to follow the instructions, exercise extreme caution, and avoid direct contact with specimens that may appear on the sand,” their statement said in part.
The notice advised that they, in coordination with municipal services, were going to maintain surveillance and “provide prompt information on the development of the situation.”
On Thursday, Sáez announced on X that there was now a “yellow flag on the beaches of Guardamar following the closure of the special surveillance operation, due to the presence of two Blue Dragon specimens.”
According to an update from local police, a yellow flag means that “bathing is allowed, but with caution.”
“Take care of your safety and that of others. Enjoy the beach responsibly,” the department advised.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Municipal services, police and lifeguards remain attentive to the evolution of the situation, according to Sáez.
Read the full article here
