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Turtle visitors
13:36:54 12/02/2008
Marine reptiles blown to UK
Marine conservationists have reported 17 turtles being washed up on UK and Irish shores since December because of strong south-westerly winds during the winter months.
While most of the turtles found were dead, three were still alive and have been taken to special facilities where it is hoped they can be nursed back to health and eventually re-released.
Species such the leatherback turtle are found naturally in UK waters during the summer feeding on jellyfish, but others, such as hawksbills and Kemp’s ridley turtles, are on the margins of their natural ranges.
According the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the cold temperatures of British waters means turtles can appear dead when they are in fact comatose, and if properly treated, can be saved. Indeed, 11 out of 19 live stranded turtles found in the past decade have been successfully returned to sea.
One Kemp’s ridley turtle, discovered on Woolacombe beach in Devon in January 2007, is currently awaiting a permit to be released into the Gulf of Mexico. The MCS says any turtles, dead or alive, should be reported to Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM) on 01348 875000.
Alice Lipscombe-Southwell
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