Betty the 'cold-stunned' turtle set for Azores release

A rare loggerhead turtle found "cold-stunned" after coastal storms is preparing to return to the sea after seven months of recovery and rehabilitation.

Named Betty by her carers, the turtle was mistaken for "debris" on Dunwich beach in Suffolk by a member of the public in February who called the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).

She was transferred to Hunstanton Sea Life Centre in Norfolk, where a second loggerhead turtle, called Olive, has been under care since December. Both will travel to the Azores later this month for release.

Katie Robertson, display supervisor at the centre, said: "The moment they finally get released is going to be an emotional time for us."

Both turtles were found cold-stunned - when temperatures rapidly decline and the struggle to find warmer waters can make them lethargic and experience decreased circulation.

Robertson added: "With temperatures changing in the waters during the summertime, our temperatures in the sea are increasing and it's getting into the low 20 [degrees] - which is causing them to travel further north than where they would normally travel.

"When our temperatures drop drastically compared to the Mediterranean they get cold-stunned, which basically means the surrounding water for them gets too cold."

Loggerhead turtles are the most common turtle in the Mediterranean and typically nest on beaches from Greece and Turkey to Israel and Libya.

They weigh up to 400lb (181kg) and can be up to 48 inches (1.2m) in length. The species is named for their large heads that support their powerful jaw muscles, needed for catching prey.

Since the turtles have been in the centre's care they have undergone a range of tests, including x-rays and CT scans checking for pneumonia.

Betty, who came straight to the team from the beach, underwent more specialist care.

Robertson said it was "a step-by-step process" to get Betty ready to return to the water, as they had to work to increase her body temperature very gradually every day.

Robertson said visitors had loved seeing the rescued turtles improve and that the two animals had come a long way.

She said: "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."

The creatures will leave Hunstanton on Monday before travelling to The Azores in Portugal where they will be monitored for up to two weeks before they are released back into the sea.

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