Turtles return home after UK stay

Two loggerhead turtles, which were washed up on the south-west UK coast this winter, have been flown to Gran Canaria and released back into the sea.

Twenty-three loggerheads have been stranded on UK and Irish coasts this year, an unprecedented number. "Dink" and "James" were the only survivors.

Having tenderly nursed the turtles back to health, Blue Reef Aquarium curator Matt Slater said he was "delighted".

Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are categorised as endangered.

"Hopefully, we won't be seeing you again. Have many, many years of swimming in the ocean," Mr Slater called out to Dink and James as they disappeared into the clear water.

After six months of rehabilitation at Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay, the two loggerheads have been returned to the sea off a beach in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

"It was absolutely beautiful. Let's hope no more turtles get stranded, but if they do we know we can look after them," Mr Slater said.

Both turtles have been microchipped. If they are ever spotted again, by fishermen or on the beach, a tag in their flipper can be used for identification. Otherwise, their adventures in the vast Atlantic Ocean will be unknown.

"I hope they will be OK," Mr Slater mused. "In their lifetime, things will change a lot. The future for turtles in general is not great."

Future dangers

After arriving in Gran Canaria, Dink and James were checked over and given the all-clear at the Wildlife Recovery Centre of Tafira. Some 150 injured turtles from around the Canary Islands are taken here each year.