Vets working to save stranded sea turtle

Monday 11 January 2016

Vets are working to save a sea turtle that washed up in the Island over the weekend.

John Battrick was out walking his dog yesterday when he came across the visitor, which vets think might be an endangered Loggerhead turtle, on the stretch of beach between the Dicq Shack and the Rice Bowl in St Clement.

The turtle was taken to New Eva vets who say she’s been cold stunned and has some shell damage and signs of infection.

They’ve given her fluids and antibiotics but say they are struggling at the moment to raise her temperature which needs to be increased very very slowly by a degree each day. Last night they put out an appeal on social media to try and find a crab or lobster tank big enough for her to fit in.

The vets say a number of other very sick turtles have washed up in the UK over the last month.

Five of the seven species of marine turtles have been recorded in UK waters - the leatherback, loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, green and hawksbill turtles. The United Kingdom Turtle code says you shouldn't touch a washed up turtle if it's dead and you should always wear rubber gloves if handling them.

Loggerhead turtles can reach lengths of 1.5 metres.