Rescued loggerhead ‘Crush’ flown from Jersey to Azores for release

The loggerhead turtle called Crush, found lifeless on a Jersey beach on 19 January after Storm Goretti, has been transported from the UK to the Azores and will be released there, Sea Life centres reported.

Malnourished and suffering from hypothermia, Crush was initially treated by New Era Veterinary Hospital in Jersey and spent two weeks with clinical director Peter Hawarth before being flown to Southampton and transferred to Weymouth Sea Life Centre for rehabilitation.

After quarantine and a period of care at Weymouth, Crush was flown about 1,500 miles (2,500 km) to the Azores alongside two other rescued loggerheads, Eden and Tiree. Eden was rescued on a Troon beach in October and cared for at Sea Life Brighton; Tiree was found in November on the west coast of Scotland and treated at Weymouth.

Weymouth’s team, in regular contact with vets at International Zoo Veterinary Group, managed Crush’s recovery with measures including controlled warming to treat cold-stunning, routine blood tests, X-rays and CT scans before she was cleared for transfer.

Sea Life Brighton operates the UK’s first permanent rehabilitation centre dedicated to sea turtle recovery and contributed to the care of Eden. Littlefeet Environmental of Jersey supplied a satellite transmitter for Crush to allow post-release tracking of migratory routes in the North Atlantic.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The three loggerheads—Crush, Eden and Tiree—were rescued after cold-stunning and currents carried them north. Clinical treatment, quarantine and diagnostic scans at UK Sea Life centres enabled their recovery and coordinated transfers to the Azores for release, with satellite tracking provided to monitor movements.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Crush was found lifeless on a Jersey beach on 19 January after Storm Goretti and treated for hypothermia.
• Crush, Eden and Tiree were rehabilitated at Weymouth and Brighton Sea Life centres before transfer to the Azores.
• A satellite transmitter from Littlefeet Environmental will track Crush after release to study North Atlantic migratory routes.