Loggerhead Turtle May Be Temporarily Relocated to Brighton
A loggerhead turtle from Guernsey may be moved to Brighton, UK, until a suitable home in warmer waters is found, according to an animal charity.
Rescue and Current Situation
The turtle, named Barnacle Bill, was rescued by the GSPCA (Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in November 2023. Since her rescue, she has remained in the shelter due to complications related to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) paperwork, which has delayed her relocation to European territories such as Gran Canaria.
Discussions About Temporary Relocation
The GSPCA held talks with Sea Life in Brighton regarding a temporary move to England. GSPCA manager, Steve Byrne, expressed hopes that Barnacle Bill—named because she was found covered in barnacles—could be returned to the water before Christmas.
Challenges of Direct Transport
Byrne mentioned that arranging direct transport to a warmer climate from Guernsey proved difficult, so Brighton could serve as a “short stop” until a permanent solution is found. Due to the loggerhead turtle’s classification as “vulnerable” by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the required paperwork for her international relocation could take two to three months to process.
Possible Naval Assistance for Final Relocation
Byrne added that the Royal Navy, which had recently assisted in rehoming another turtle, might be able to provide transport for Barnacle Bill, potentially returning her to the wild sooner than expected.