What’s happening

SHELL-EBRATE WORLD TURTLE DAY AT SEA LIFE LOCH LOMOND

SHELL-EBRATE WORLD TURTLE DAY AT SEA LIFE LOCH LOMOND

• SEA LIFE Loch Lomond reveals backstory on turtle inhabitants rescued over the years
• Aquarists explain what goes in to looking after turtles on a daily basis
• World Turtle Day (23^rd May) aims to increase awareness and protection of turtle and tortoise habitats and populations

 

In honour of World Turtle Day (23^rd May), SEA LIFE Loch Lomond has shed light on the care and conservation work that goes into safeguarding the flippered sea creatures.

With over 30+ years’ experience in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of turtles, SEA LIFE is responsible for over 50 turtles across its many sites.

The turtles who arrive at SEA LIFE have typically been hurt by boats, ‘cold stunned, have ingested or become entangled in plastics.  These very sick animals go through an intensive rehabilitation program to restore their health and strength and wherever possible are successfully returned to the wild. However, due to variety of reasons some turtles are unable to be returned to the ocean and SEA LIFE are proud to be able to offer these placid animals a home. 

On a day-to-day basis, turtles can be a dream to look after, as they are very calm and easy-going creatures. They are generally fed once a day and eat an array of different things, from crustaceans and squid for the carnivorous breeds to sprouts, broccoli, and lettuce for the vegetarians.

So, what better time than the week of World Turtle Day to meet SEA LIFE Loch Lomond’s turtley awesome pals:

Olive Ridley turtle, April has travelled more than 5,000 miles by land, sea and air to find her forever home in SEA LIFE Loch Lomond, after being discovered floating on the ocean surface in the Maldives.

She was tangled in netting with a plastic bag around her neck and was sadly missing her front flipper due to the entanglement, leaving her left flipper wounded by friction from the plastic bag. An X-ray also revealed she was suffering from a lung infection.

Despite extensive rehabilitation efforts from the Four Seasons Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, April continued to struggle with buoyancy issues, making a return to the wild impossible and SEA LIFE Loch Lomond stepped in to offer her a permanent home.

SEA LIFE has a vision and goal to ensure oceans become healthier, protected, and full of diverse, wonderful animals. The sites across the UK work closely with partner charity, the SEA LIFE TRUST, to spread awareness around the urgency to conserve the oceans and protect the amazing marine life within them to ensure every species has the chance to thrive in their natural habitats.

SEA LIFE centres globally care for more than 160,000 animals and more than 4,000 different species. The teams look after ethical sourcing, scientific research, rehoming and rescues, and breeding programmes. Every year, they breed more than 3,500 animals, rescue around 200 seals and turtles, and release more than 150 animals into the wild.