Anglesey Sea Zoo to repatriate rare sea turtle to the Gulf of Mexico

Rhossi, a rare Kemp's ridley sea turtle, is being transported approximately 5,000 miles from Wales back to his natural habitat in the Gulf of Mexico. The turtle was discovered near death on a beach in Rhosneigr, Anglesey, in December 2023, after being drifted into cold waters by strong winds.

Nursed back to health at the Anglesey Sea Zoo, Rhossi has grown from less than 1kg to 21kg over nearly two years of care. To facilitate the long-distance journey, conservationists have prepared a specially temperature-controlled transport box. Because the turtle cannot remain in water during the flight, staff must use lubricants such as Vaseline and jelly to keep his skin, shell, and eyes hydrated and prevent them from drying out.

The complex logistics involve transporting Rhossi by helicopter to London and then via cargo flight to Houston, Texas, before his final release. The Kemp's ridley is considered one of the world's rarest sea turtle species, with critical breeding grounds located along the coasts of Mexico and the United States.