Rare turtle rescued in Wales in 2023 flies 5,000 miles home to Gulf of Mexico

A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Rhossi, found in a dire condition on a Welsh beach in December 2023, is now set for an extraordinary 5,000-mile journey back to its natural habitat in the Gulf of Mexico. Rhossi, believed to be under two years old when he was discovered, was severely cold-stunned, a condition that occurs when a turtle’s body temperature drops dangerously low in water much colder than its natural habitat.

For the past two-and-a-half years, the Anglesey Sea Zoo has been working tirelessly to nurse Rhossi back to health. The turtle has more than tripled in size, from less than 1kg to around 21kg. Conservationists involved in his care are now preparing to fly Rhossi across the Atlantic Ocean to his home in the Gulf of Mexico.

The journey will involve a helicopter flight from Anglesey to London, followed by a cargo flight to Houston, Texas. Special precautions will be taken to protect Rhossi during this long flight. His skin, shell, and eyes will all be lubricated to prevent dehydration and damage. Staff at the zoo have even had to purchase KY Jelly and Vaseline in large quantities to prepare for the trip.

The unusual preparations have led to some awkward moments at the chemist, where Davidson, the zoo’s curator, had to explain the turtle’s journey to curious checkout clerks.

Rhossi’s rescue comes as his species faces a significant conservation threat. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are considered the rarest sea turtle species in the world, with their eggs laid on only two beaches in Mexico and Texas. The return of Rhossi to the wild is seen as a small but significant step towards the conservation of this endangered species. The zoo hopes that his journey will not only save his life but also raise awareness about the plight of sea turtles and the importance of their conservation.