After nearly two years of care in Wales, one tiny turtle is finally heading home and getting there is no ordinary journey.
Rhossi, a rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, is being flown nearly 5,000 miles from Anglesey back to the Gulf of Mexico.
Rhossi was found barely alive on a Welsh beach in December 2023.
He had become “cold-stunned” after ending up in waters far colder than his natural habitat.
Staff at Anglesey Sea Zoo nursed him back to health, watching him grow from less than 1kg to an impressive 21kg.
But how do you fly a sea turtle across the Atlantic?
Very carefully. Rhossi will travel by helicopter from Wales to London before boarding a cargo flight to Houston.
Turtle Freed After Captivity
A specially designed, temperature-controlled crate has been prepared, while staff will constantly monitor him for dehydration.
“His skin is really delicate,” said curator Matt Davidson, explaining that Vaseline and KY Jelly are used to keep his shell, skin and eyes from drying out during the journey.
The mission has taken almost two years to organise, involving complex paperwork and meticulous planning.
For zoo owner Frankie Hobro, the release will be emotional. “Turtles belong in the wild, not in captivity,” she said.
Kemp’s ridleys are the world’s rarest sea turtles. Rhossi’s return may be one small journey, but for the species, it represents a giant step home.
