Cold-Stunned Loggerhead Turtle Rescued on British Beach
In a rare occurrence, a 4-foot-long loggerhead turtle was found cold-stunned on Earnse Bay beach in northwestern England. Prompt action by local resident Paul Knight and marine biologist Sarah Neill leads to its rescue and transfer to Blackpool Sea Life Center.
By Beth Snider · February 9, 2024
A loggerhead turtle, far from its usual warm waters, was rescued on Earnse Bay beach in northwestern England after being discovered by a vigilant local resident, Paul Knight, during a routine walk with his partner and dog. Initially believed to be lifeless, the 4-foot-long reptile was found in a cold-stunned state, a condition where the turtle becomes lethargic and may appear dead due to exposure to colder temperatures.
Quick thinking by Knight, who contacted the Marine Conservation Society, led to instructions from Sarah Neill, a Cumbrian marine biologist and regional coordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue. Following her advice to gently stroke the turtle’s eye, the reptile displayed signs of life, prompting the dispatch of a rescue medic.
Assisting the medic, Knight helped transport the approximately 110-pound turtle to Blackpool Sea Life Center, where it is currently undergoing a gradual warming process. According to Neill, this cautious approach prevents potential infections and other life-threatening consequences associated with rapid temperature changes.
The loggerhead turtle, a rare find in Cumbria, is the first of its kind in the region in about a decade. Neill attributed such occurrences to severe storms disrupting the turtle’s usual migration patterns from warmer waters. “Their arrival is often associated with unusual weather conditions such as storms, and the turtles are usually in very poor health,” Neill explained.
The rescued turtle will remain at Blackpool Sea Life Center until it can be transferred to Scarborough and eventually released into its natural waters away from the UK. Neill stressed the importance of not returning stranded turtles to the sea, as they are not adapted to survive colder temperatures.
This incident sheds light on the vulnerability of loggerhead turtles, classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the World Wildlife Fund, due to factors like accidental bycatch and threats to nesting sites from tourism development. Loggerheads, the most common turtles in the Mediterranean, typically nest on beaches from Greece and Turkey to Israel and Libya.
Peter Richardson, head of recovery at the Marine Conservation Society, highlighted the significance of this rescue, stating, “Not all turtles that strand on our shores this time of year survive.” The loggerhead’s journey from warmer waters, likely affected by colder Atlantic currents, underscores the need for continued vigilance and conservation efforts to protect these remarkable sea creatures.