Rare sea turtle rescued in Wales begins 8,000-kilometre journey home
A critically ill sea turtle found nearly two years ago on a Welsh beach has recovered and started its long trip back to its natural habitat in the Gulf of Mexico.
In December 2023, a dog named Mega discovered a nearly lifeless sea turtle on Rhosneigr beach on the island of Anglesey. The animal, later named Rosi, weighed less than a kilogram at the time and had suffered severe frostbite injuries. Without expert care, it likely would not have survived.
Rosi belongs to the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, one of the rarest turtle species in the world. This species naturally lives in the Gulf of Mexico, but ocean currents sometimes carry young turtles across the Atlantic all the way to European shores.
Nearly two years of recovery
After being found, the turtle was taken to Anglesey Sea Zoo, where specialists cared for it for almost two years while preparing it for release back into the wild. During this time, Rosi gained substantial weight, reaching over 20 kilograms and a length of 77 centimetres by early August.
The long trip home begins
On Monday, 10 August, Rosi set off on its unusual journey back to the Gulf of Mexico. The route starts with a specially adapted helicopter flight from Anglesey to Buckinghamshire, followed by a road transfer to Heathrow Airport, and then a flight to Houston, Texas.
Throughout the journey, careful attention will be paid to keeping Rosi's skin from drying out and maintaining a suitable temperature. After arriving in the United States, the turtle will be taken to the Texas coast, where it is expected to be released into the wild in the Gulf of Mexico about a week later, completing a journey home of nearly 8,000 kilometres.
