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Loggerhead turtle washed up in Guernsey

A sea turtle is being treated by the GSPCA after being washed up on Vazon Beach in Guernsey

It's not the first time a Loggerhead has been found in the Channel Islands, a turtle named by rescuers as Terri was found washed up in Jersey during January 2016.

They normally live in warmer climates but experts think the creatures have been washed off course during recent storms.

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Crab hitches lift on turtle

The crab found in Olivia's shell

Staff at Guernsey's animal shelter have been inspecting the sea turtle they rescued from Vazon beach last week.

They've discovered a crab and some Goose Barnacles had hitched a lift during her migration in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Barnacles were attached to her rear and the cheeky crustacean was found between Olivia's back right leg and her shell.

The day after GSPCA staff discovered the crafty crab, it had climbed off Olivia and was found trying to get into Bonnie the seal's enclosure.

Guernsey's Aquarium has taken in the clawed sea creature as it's unknown what species the crab is and where it has come from.

Olivia the sea turtle was rescued by the GSPCA last week

We certainly didn't expect to find a crab when we rescued Olivia the turtle. We weren't able to get the crab out straight away but the next morning I found it trying to visit Bonnie the seal pup. The crab could have come from anywhere. We are thankful to Guernsey Aquarium for taking it in.

– Geoff George GSPCA Animal Collection Officer

We often see ticks on a hedgehog or fleas on a stray cat but we certainly didn't expect to rescue a crab with Olivia the turtle. Whether it is a Columbus Crab which can be found on 80% of adult Loggerhead Turtles we don't know and we didn't feel we could just let it go on a Guernsey beach in case it was indeed from another continent. We'd like to thank Guernsey Aquarium for helping take the crab into their care who have tanks for a variety of sea life.

– Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager

You can donate to the GSPCA to help Olivia the turtle or Bonnie the grey seal pup by calling 01481 257261.

Washed up sea turtle is 'very weak' say GSPCA

The latest sea turtle to be washed up in the Channel Islands has been named by Guernsey's Animal Shelter as 'Olivia.'

However, the GSPCA is warning islanders that the Loggerhead is incredibly weak and is currently undergoing tests and treatments to look for any internal problems.

Turtles often feast on jellyfish while migrating but can mistake plastic bags and rubbish in the sea for the gelatinous creatures which can clog their intestines and stop them from feeding.

Experts believe the two green turtles that have been washed up in the Channel Islands this year have been knocked off course by recent storms. They usually live in warmer waters like the Mediterranean.

Olivia was rescued after being found washed up on Vazon beach this week.

She is the same species of sea turtle that was washed up on a Jersey beach in January.

Guernsey's animal shelter have set up a web page to raise money for Olivia's treatment. Click here to be taken to its web page.

After a very busy day rescuing lots of animals yesterday we really didn't expect to be called out to a stranded turtle. Thankfully we have a wildlife unit set up for a wide variety of species and an experienced team at the GSPCA. It is too early to tell how she will do but we are doing all we can and have an excellent experienced vet to help in her rehabilitation.

– Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager

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Sea turtle being treated by GSPCA

Guernsey's animal shelter are working to raise the temperature of a sick sea turtle that was washed up on Vason Beach earlier this month.

It's the same species of turtle that was washed up on a Jersey beach in January. Terri the Loggerhead was treated in the Channel Islands before being flown back home to Gran Canaria.

We do have pet turtles in our care at the GSPCA but to get a wild turtle that should be living around the equator in the tropics is extremely rare and one that we would rarely see in Guernsey, certainly in the winter.

– Steve Byrne, Manager GSPCA
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