In January, a loggerhead sea turtle was found “lifeless” on a beach in Jersey, a town about 85 miles south of England, by a local dog-walker.
While it’s unclear where the turtle originated, it’s believed to have landed on the beach following Storm Goretti, an extratropical cyclone that descended upon Western Europe.
Veterinarians jumped to action once they discovered the turtle was malnourished and cold-stunned, a hypothermia-like condition that causes the animal’s body to shut down. She was originally cared for by New Era Veterinary Hospital in Jersey, even spending two weeks in the family home of the clinic’s director, Peter Hawarth.
The care team named her Crush, after the beloved “Finding Nemo” character. They also aren’t completely sure she’s a female, but Crush has a longer tail like other female loggerheads, so that’s how she’s been referred to.
Soon, however, it became clear she needed more specialized care, so Hawarth flew the turtle to Southampton, carrying her in a box.
“[We are] so proud to be part of Crush’s journey to recovery,” Jersey Airport shared on social media on February 10. “This morning, she took to the skies with Loganair and is now safely at Weymouth Sea Life Centre — one step closer to returning home to the ocean.”
Once Crush made it to the Sea Life Weymouth center, an aquarium and conservation hub in Weymouth, United Kingdom, she was cared for alongside other rescued turtles.
“Since arriving at Sea Life Weymouth, Crush has undergone CT scans, regular blood tests, ongoing veterinary assessments, and a carefully managed diet to rebuild strength and regain a healthy weight,” Sea Life Weymouth recently shared on Facebook.
And now, nearly six months after being found washed ashore, Crush has been given the all-clear to be released back into the ocean.
“Our specialist animal care team and veterinary experts have finally signed off on getting Crush back to warmer waters and into the wild,” Sea Life manager Seb Webster told the BBC.
“Crush is in our quarantine facility at the moment because it's just a matter of weeks, we think. We are hoping … by the end of July.”
Crush will be released into warmer waters off the coast of the Azores, a group of islands near Portugal.
Sea Life Weymouth is now working with conservation partners to make the final preparations — including arranging Crush’s second time in an airplane — to ensure she has the “best possible chance of thriving back in the wild.”
According to Webster, Crush will spend some time in a specialized facility in the Azores after landing to make sure all is well. Then, another member of their team will be there to help release Crush when she gets another all-clear.
“We are incredibly proud of our team for their dedication and care to Crush's recovery,” Sea Life Weymouth concluded in a social media post.
“Thank you also to the hundreds of well-wishes from supporters around the world who have been following Crush's story.”
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Featured Image: Sea Life Weymouth/Facebook
