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After enduring the dangers of cold-stunning caused by recent coastal storms, a loggerhead turtle named Betty is set to return to the ocean following seven months of extensive rehabilitation. Betty was discovered on Dunwich beach in Suffolk in February, initially mistaken for debris by a passerby who then contacted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). After her rescue, she was brought to the Hunstanton Sea Life Centre in Norfolk, where she joined another loggerhead turtle called Olive, who has been receiving care since December. Both turtles are scheduled for release later this month in the Azores.
Katie Robertson, the display supervisor at Hunstanton Sea Life Centre, described the forthcoming release as an emotional moment for the team. The turtles had been found suffering from cold-stunning—a condition that occurs when sharp drops in water temperature cause the turtles to become lethargic and suffer impaired circulation. This condition poses a serious risk to their survival. Robertson explained that warmer sea temperatures during summer lead loggerhead turtles to migrate further north than usual. However, when the water rapidly cools compared to the Mediterranean climate they are adapted to, the turtles become cold-stunned as the surrounding water temperatures become too low for their well-being.
Loggerhead turtles are predominantly found in the Mediterranean, nesting on beaches that stretch from Greece and Turkey through to Israel and Libya. These turtles can weigh as much as 400 pounds and grow up to 1.2 meters in length. Their species gets its name from their notably large heads, which house powerful jaw muscles necessary for hunting prey. During their time at the centre, Betty and Olive underwent numerous health evaluations, including x-rays and CT scans to check for complications such as pneumonia. Betty required particularly specialized treatment, where her body temperature was carefully and gradually increased each day—a crucial step in preparing her for release back into the wild.
Robertson highlighted the joy visitors experienced watching the turtles’ recovery and emphasized the progress both animals have made. She shared, “When we got the all clear for both turtles, the whole team, we just had a moment where we were just so proud of all the work we’ve put into it but also proud of the turtles themselves.” Betty and Olive are expected to depart from Norfolk on 28 September. Following their journey to the Azores in Portugal, they will be closely monitored for up to two weeks before finally being released into their natural habitat
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