An extremely rare sea turtle has been discovered on a beach in North Wales, thousands of kilometres from its usual home – the coasts of Mexico and the southern United States.
The turtle, believed to be female and of either the Olive Ridley or the Kemps Ridley species, was found stranded on a beach on the Menai Strait, which separates Anglesey from the rest of North Wales.
The turtle, since named Menai by staff caring for her, was found at the bottom of the Anglesey Sea Zoo’s drive, where she was first treated.
Emma Bayman, a vet at the Bodrwnsiwn Veterinary Practice in Mona, Anglesey, who carried out emergency treatment on Menai, told the Associated Press, “We are working very hard to save her life, she’s very cold. That’s the most important thing – keeping her warm.”
Tropical sea turtles should not be found in North Wales. The Olive Ridley and Kemps Ridley species of sea turtle are more commonly found in the warmer tropical waters off the coast of Mexico and the southern United States, where water temperatures of 25-30 C are common.
Anglesey sea temperatures in November are around 8 C, according to the Anglesey Sea Zoo.
If Menai is confirmed to be an Olive Ridley it would be the first time such a turtle has been discovered in the U.K., the zoo said.
Menai will return to the Bodrwnsiwn Veterinary Practice in Mona for treatment on Monday afternoon.
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