Rare turtle 'Rhossi' set for 5,000-mile emotional journey back to the Gulf of Mexico
A critically endangered sea turtle found barely alive on a Welsh beach is flying home after nearly two and a half years of rehabilitation.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Rhossi the Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found cold-stunned on a Welsh beach in December 2023.
- Staff spent nearly two years planning the 5,000-mile journey using a custom temperature-controlled crate.
- The turtle grew from under 1kg to 21kg while being cared for at Anglesey Sea Zoo.
A rare sea turtle that washed ashore in Wales in a near-death condition is embarking on a remarkable 5,000-mile (8,047km) journey back to its natural home in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the culmination of a meticulously planned international operation.
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle, named Rhossi, was discovered in December 2023 by a dog named Meg and her owner while walking on a beach near Rhosneigr on Anglesey. At less than two years old, the reptile was barely clinging to life, suffering from a condition known as cold-stunning caused by drifting into waters much colder than its natural habitat due to strong winds.
Conservationists at the Anglesey Sea Zoo took the turtle under their care, nursing it back to health over the past two and a half years. During this period, Rhossi tripled in size, growing from a tiny creature weighing less than 1kg (2.2lb) to a robust 21kg (46lbs).
Transporting the marine animal requires a complex multi-stage transit plan, including a helicopter ride from Anglesey to London followed by a cargo flight to Houston, Texas, USA. Because the animal must travel out of water, handlers need to ensure it remains constantly hydrated throughout the trip inside a specially designed temperature-controlled crate.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"We have to make sure that the shell is really well lubricated, so we spread Vaseline all over to stop it drying out and flaking off. dk "The same for the skin – it's really delicate – and especially the eyes, which both have to be lubricated before he goes into the crate and again just before takeoff, or he will start to peel like someone getting sunburned.
Davidson
Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles become trapped in unusually cold coastal waters, causing their body temperatures to drop sharply and leading to lethargy, floating, and vulnerability to predators. Rehabilitating these endangered reptiles requires specialized veterinary care and gradual temperature regulation. Kemp's ridleys are recognized as the rarest sea turtles globally, making every successful rescue and release vital for bolstering their fragile wild populations.
Frankie Hobro, owner of the Anglesey Sea Zoo, noted that cold-stunned turtles rarely survive without specialized intervention, recalling that staff were initially uncertain if Rhossi would survive his first couple of weeks. As the fourth sea turtle rescued and rehabilitated by the zoo over the past decade, Rhossi's release is viewed as an important milestone that contributes to the ongoing survival of the world's rarest sea turtle species, which nests on only two specific coastlines in Mexico and Texas.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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