Three stranded juvenile loggerhead sea turtles are receiving rehabilitation treatment at Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium.
The first turtle was found on Friday the 13th January on Perranporth beach, Cornwall, and is now feeding itself and swimming after receiving specialised care from the aquarium team.
Two more juvenile loggerheads were brought to the aquarium by volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue on the evening of 3rd February, one being found at Widemouth Bay, Bude and the other found at Perranporth Beach again.
Blue Reef Aquarium’s General Manager Steve Matchett said: “These turtles are washed up in an extremely weakened state called cold stunned and are very often dehydrated. They are from warm waters and get taken off course by storms when following warm Atlantic currents. When they are brought to us we follow an established procedure to try and return them to full health and get them ready for release back into warmer waters, usually near the Canary Isles.”
The Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay has rehabilitated and released several sea turtles over many years, but is keen to note that most turtles don’t survive due to being too cold for too long a period of time before being washed up in the UK.
It is very important that any turtles washed up are not put back into the sea, as they will die as UK waters are too cold.
More on:
Posted On: 20/02/2023