Rescuers urge islanders to 'leave it to the experts' after dead turtle found

Friday 26 January 2024

Islanders have been given advice about what to do if they find an unexpected creature on the beach after a lifeless loggerhead turtle was discovered on the east coast yesterday.

The juvenile turtle was discovered on Archirondel Beach by a member of the public on Thursday and taken to New Era vets by volunteers from the Jersey branch of British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) to check for signs of life.

Loggerhead turtles are found in the Mediterranean and warmer areas of the Atlantic but can be carried to British shores on ocean currents, especially given the recent stormy conditions.

Another dead loggerhead sea turtle was found washed up at L’Etacq beach in April 2023. 

In a statement yesterday, BDMLR said: "The sea temperature here is far too cold for a loggerhead to function, so when they are accidentally swept into our colder currents, they go on to become cold-stunned. This makes them extremely lethargic and lifeless.

"The turtle was placed onto a wet towel and taken straight to New Era Veterinary Hospital for further investigation.

"The vet team were able to use an ultrasound to scan the heart for movement and a doppler to try and detect a heartbeat and any flow. This process was repeated over a few hours but sadly no life was found in the turtle."

They went on to advise: "Never put a sea turtle back in the sea, and never try and warm them up yourselves.

"This has to be done very specifically by experts."

This morning, a dead wild boar was also found on St Brelade’s Bay by a dog walker – just months after another baby boar was found washed up at La Corbiere, while a live bore was spotted in Alderney in 2013 after swimming from France. 

The animal is believed to have come from France where they are common. 

Pictured: Nat Sims posted on the 'Jersey Wildlife' Facebook group in November to ask for advice about if she should inform anyone about the washed-up animal. 

The wild boar was on the run in Alderney for around a month, and was usually only seen at dusk which led to it being dubbed the "ghost pig".

However, it was later thought to have been shot and disposed of by someone concerned that the animal might be carrying disease.

ADVICE...

Islanders are being urged to keep an eye out for injured wildlife affected by the recent stormy weather and should contact the Government’s animal health and welfare team if found dead (441600), and the JSPCA (724331) if found alive.

If an animal is found, it is important to stay back and never attempt to put them back in the water, while keeping dogs on leads and away from the animal.