The Royal Navy could help Guernsey's "Barnacle Bill" get home

Monday, 21 October 2024 16:40

The GSPCA is investigating new ways to send a loggerhead turtle home.

Barnacle Bill, a Mediterranean sea turtle, washed up on the West Coast of Guernsey on 6 November 2023.

The GSPCA says the strong winds from Storm Ciaran may have brought Bill to the English Channel.

The animal shelter took the creature in as it was very cold and weak - removed barnacles and discovered Bill was female.

Shelter Manager Steve Byrne says she recovered very quickly, and is now 3.3kgs and 18 inches - up from 700g and 6 inches.

Barnacle Bill has moved into a larger pool

Although she has been fit for travel from some time, Steve says it has been a struggle to get Bill back to warmer waters.

They initially wanted to send Bill home to Gran Canaria, but paperwork has complicated things.

They are now investigating other destinations, such as Cape Verde, Turkey, Bermuda, and the Azores.

"The good news is this week we are going to speak to Brighton Sealife in the hope they can take on her care and the Royal Navy may help get her to the Mediterranean like they did recently for other turtles which were rescued last year and had similar issues getting them to a country abroad for their release.

To move endangered species like loggerhead turtles we require export and import CITES documents, and although we received the Guernsey forms very quickly we have had challenges getting help from the countries mentioned, hence looking at this new option."

The animal shelter say a member of the public who owns a jet has also offered Bill a flight home, but permissions are still required.