Rhossi, a rare sea turtle that almost died after washing up on a cold Welsh beach, is finally making a 5,000-mile journey back home to the Gulf of Mexico.
In December 2023, a dog named Meg and her owner found the small Kemp's ridley sea turtle near Rhosneigr on the island of Anglesey in Wales. At less than two years old, Rhossi weighed under 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) and was severely "cold-stunned" by the chilly North Atlantic waters. Experts believe strong winds blew him far away from his normal warm habitat.
Staff at the Anglesey Sea Zoo saved his life and cared for him over the past two and a half years. Under their care, Rhossi grew dramatically, reaching a healthy weight of 21 kilograms (46 pounds).
Now, conservationists are carrying out a complex plan to return Rhossi to the wild. His journey out of the water involves a helicopter flight from Anglesey to London, followed by a cargo flight across the Atlantic Ocean to Houston, Texas.
Because sea turtles normally live in water, keeping Rhossi safe during the flight requires special preparation. Zoo staff built a temperature-controlled crate and covered his shell with Vaseline to keep it from cracking. They also used special gel on his skin and delicate eyes to prevent them from drying out during the long trip.
Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the rarest sea turtles in the world, laying their eggs on only two beaches in Mexico and Texas. Rhossi is the fourth turtle rehabilitated by the Anglesey Sea Zoo in the past decade. Wildlife experts hope his release back into the Caribbean Sea will help support the survival of his endangered species.