Stranded turtle's 16-hour road trip to recovery

A juvenile loggerhead turtle named Shaggy, weighing down with a thick layer of algae, found itself stranded in Esperance, far from its tropical home. Letesha Heslewood, driven by compassion, embarked on a 16-hour, 1,400km round trip to bring the turtle from Esperance to Bunbury for rehabilitation. Shaggy was spotted floating among seaweed off the Esperance coast and promptly taken to the local wildlife hospital.

Being a tropical species, loggerheads are accustomed to warm waters. The cold southern waters left Shaggy dangerously cold and dehydrated, making swift transfer to specialized care crucial. Upon her arrival in Esperance, Letesha found Shaggy already being cleaned of the algae from his shell, preparing him for the long journey ahead.

The return trip to Bunbury was a test of endurance for Letesha, who made frequent stops to give Shaggy water to cool down and freshen up. The turtle seemed to enjoy the water splashovers on his eyes and back, clearly responding positively to the soothing sensation. This experience, a marathon rescue mission for Letesha, left her with a deep appreciation for wildlife.

Now recovering in a heated tank at Bunbury's Dolphin Discovery Centre, Shaggy is the second loggerhead to seek care at the facility in recent weeks. While the team regularly treats turtles from nearby beaches, finding one as far south as Esperance was rarer. Marine Scientist Scott Whiting from WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions explained that while Exmouth is Shaggy's most likely destination for release, factors like natural migration patterns and changing sea conditions can lead these turtles to venture into unusual territories.

Shaggy will remain in care until April next year, when he will be transported to Exmouth for release off the Ningaloo coast.