Rare Turtle Rescued After Storm Finally Released Into The Atlantic

(c) Sea Life/Brave New Beast

A rare turtle rescued after being washed up on a beach in Jersey has been released back into the Atlantic following six months of specialist care.

The loggerhead turtle, named Crush, was found in a lifeless state on 19 January in the aftermath of Storm Goretti.

She was suffering from hypothermia and malnutrition and was initially treated by vets in Jersey before being flown to Southampton and taken to Sea Life Weymouth for further care.

After making a full recovery, Crush was released into the North Atlantic off the Azores on Tuesday evening alongside two other rescued loggerhead turtles, Eden and Tiree.

Eden was found at Troon in Scotland last year and was cared for at Sea Life Brighton, which is home to the UK's first permanent rehabilitation centre dedicated solely to sea turtle recovery.

Tiree was rescued from the west coast of Scotland in November.

The turtles were flown around 2,500 kilometres to the Azores in specially designed boxes before spending time in quarantine.

Crush has also been fitted with a satellite transmitter, allowing rescuers to monitor her movements for as long as it remains attached.

Her aquarist, Victoria Goodier, said there were "definitely some tears" on the boat as the turtles were released.

She said all three "swam beautifully off into the ocean".

Deva Edge from Sea Life Brighton was also there to witness the release.

She described it as "one of the best moments of my life", adding that although rescuers form "very strong attachments", it was "the best goodbye possible".

Loggerhead turtles are considered vulnerable, with their numbers threatened by a range of factors including fishing, pollution and habitat loss.

It's believed Crush was swept north towards Jersey by storms and ocean currents.

Rescuers don't know whether Crush is actually female, but have referred to her as "she" because of her larger tail — a feature usually associated with female turtles.