Critically endangered turtles rescued on British beaches return to ocean
Eden, Tiree and Crush recover and thrive in SEA LIFE's rehabilitation programme
Crush, a loggerhead turtle discovered lifeless on a Jersey beach in January 2026, has successfully returned to the ocean after expert care at SEA LIFE Weymouth.
Initially suffering from cold shock, Crush received immediate treatment at Jersey's New Era Veterinary Hospital before being flown to the UK for further rehabilitation.
At SEA LIFE Weymouth, Crush was nurtured back to health through careful monitoring and a specialised diet, increasing her weight from 1.65kg to 4.2kg, preparing her for release into the Azores' warm waters.
Crush has been fitted with a satellite tag to enable SEA LIFE teams to track her movements in the wild.
Three loggerhead turtles, including Crush, were discovered distressed on British beaches and have now successfully returned to the ocean, thanks to SEA LIFE's dedicated rehabilitation efforts in Brighton and Weymouth.
Eden was found on the South Beach at Troon in Scotland on 9th October last year with critically low body temperature.
She underwent treatment at SEA LIFE Loch Lomond and was later transferred to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at SEA LIFE Brighton, improving her condition significantly.
Eden's weight increased from 1.4kg to over 6kg, leading to her release in July in the Azores.
Tiree, found on Tiree island in Scotland on 3rd November last year, initially received care at SEA LIFE Loch Lomond and Blackpool before moving to Weymouth.
Her weight soared from a mere 590g to a healthy 5kg, preparing her for an Atlantic release.
Joe Williams, curator at SEA LIFE Brighton, praised Eden's recovery as a testament to SEA LIFE's commitment since establishing the UK's first permanent turtle rescue centre in 2024.
Kico Iraola of SEA LIFE Weymouth expressed satisfaction with Crush and Tiree's recoveries, highlighting the rigorous health monitoring prior to their release.
These rescues underscore SEA LIFE's investment in turtle rehabilitation facilities and its critical role in marine conservation.
Professionals interested in turtle conservation can attend the UK's largest sea turtle symposium on 17th October in Brighton, with tickets available via Wildlife Vets International.
Individuals who find stranded turtles should contact SEA LIFE or The Turtle UK Strandings Network for assistance.