'Extremely weak' rescue turtle beginning to recover

Initially there were fears the turtle was so unwell she would be unlikely to survive, but she's beginning to respond to treatment Credit: Blue Reef Aquarium

A stranded sea turtle is responding well to treatment at an aquarium in Newquay.

The young turtle is 20cm long and was discovered on Gwithian Beach near Hayle at the beginning of January - she had a large number of goose barnacles attached to her shell.

Initially there were fears the turtle was so unwell she would be unlikely to survive, but she's beginning to respond to treatment after a receiving intensive care and from aquarists.

The team tube fed her ever 90 minutes for the first 36 hours, with aquarists taking it in turns to work around the clock.

Over the next few weeks they very gradually raised the temperature of the water and she began to become more active.

What to do if you find a stranded turtle

  • Do not attempt to put the turtle back into the sea

  • Wrap in a towel soaked in seawater, don’t cover nostrils

  • Place in a secure place on its belly and do not attempt to warm the animal up, keep it at the same temperature you found it

  • If inactive, raise the back end of the shell so the turtle is resting at approximately 30° to drain lungs

  • Contact Marine Environmental Monitoring on 01239 683033, the RSPCA on 0300 1234999 or British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546

Note: These rules do not apply to leatherback turtles which can be carefully re-floated if uninjured. Please check with an expert first.