Schoolchildren in Jersey were treated to a talk about a turtle that was rescued in Guernsey this week, by the smaller island’s largest animal charity.
Year 1 pupils from St Saviour’s School joined the GSPCA on Tuesday, in an online talk to learn about Barnacle Bill – a young, female loggerhead turtle, who was rescued, rehabilitated and released.
The enthusiastic pupils were fascinated by the turtle’s adventure and asked a wide range of questions about the work put into Bill’s rehabilitation.
GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne, who helped care for Bill, said: “The children asked some fantastic questions and were clearly very interested in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation.
“Education is a hugely important part of what we do at the GSPCA, and it is always inspiring to see such enthusiasm from young people.”
Bill was rescued after washing up on Chouet beach following Storm Ciaran, in November 2023.
After staying with the GSPCA for 14 months, she was then moved to the Sea Life Centre in Brighton to focus on her rehabilitation.
After another year of care and rehabilitation at the centre, Bill was successfully released into the wild near the Azores, completing an extraordinary international conservation success story.
Looking into the future, Mr Byrne added: “Our new Wildlife Hospital is now over halfway through construction and will provide improved facilities for the thousands of wild animals and birds we care for every year.”
The GSPCA offers educational talks, school visits and tours to help students learn more about animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and responsible pet care.
