Guernsey's 'Barnacle Bill' loggerhead turtle in need of temporary new home after tripling in size

'Barnacle Bill' was named after washing up on Guernsey's west coast during Storm Ciarán covered in barnacles. Credit: ITV Channel and GSPCA

The GSPCA is seeking a Guernsey resident to keep their growing loggerhead turtle safe while they find a place to rehabilitate the animal abroad.

'Barnacle Bill' was picked up by the charity last November after washing up on the island's west coast during Storm Ciarán.

Since then, Bill has tripled in size and needs a new place to live while paperwork is approved for it to leave Guernsey and recover in warmer waters.

The GSPCA says the new pool needs to be around four-foot square or larger with pumps.

"Due to the UK coming out of the EU, the Spanish import forms have been much more complicated." - GSPCA's Steve Byrne Credit: ITV Channel

Permission was requested to send Bill to a Gran Canaria facility which rehabilitates turtles.

However, due to import complications, the GSPCA is now exploring other destinations including Cape Verde and Turkey.

GSCPA manager Steve Byrne says: "The most important thing is we need to get Barnacle Bill back to where she belongs as she is growing every day.

"We are appealing to find her much larger swimming quarters as we continue to care for her."

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