Waitrose has donated more than ten kilos of squid for Olivia the loggerhead turtle as she continues to recover at the Guernsey Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).
The endangered animal was found washed up on Guernsey’s west coast earlier this month after she was caught up in the Gulf Stream.
Olivia has been receiving 24-hour care by the GSPCA to slowly raise her body temperature. It is hoped that the squid will help with her recovery, providing her with a similar diet that she would have in her natural environment as she is currently below the typical average weight of an adult loggerhead turtle.
GSPCA manager, Steve Byrne, said: “The GSPCA is extremely grateful to Waitrose for their support. Olivia is the first loggerhead turtle to be washed up on Guernsey shores and only this week has she been able to take liquidised food. Having the squid available will be very helpful once we move her on to solid food which is the next stage of her recovery.
“She’s been in our care now for three weeks and is getting better every day. The next step for us is looking for a way to transport her to a new, suitable location.”
Section manager of Waitrose Rohais, Anthony Court, said: “Helping a loggerhead turtle is an unusual occurrence on the island, we are very happy to play a role in assisting the work done by the GSPCA with Olivia’s rehabilitation to get her back to full health and hopefully back into her natural habitat soon.”