By Elizabeth Hunter
A turtle rescued after Storm Goretti has been flown to her new sanctuary – as a VIP airline passenger.
Crush, a loggerhead turtle, was washed up on a beach in Jersey after weather struck the UK last month.
She was swept up from her normal habitat of warm water, and was found “cold stunned” by a passerby – a condition where prolonged exposure to cold water stuns the animal.
Weak and malnourished, Crush was taken to New Era Veterinary Hospital in St Saviour, where she was looked after by clinical director Peter Haworth.
After her condition stabilized, the team planned to rehabilitate Crush – but decided a rocky ferry crossing may cause her undue stress.
Peter contacted Loganair, who gave Crush permission to travel in the passenger cabin on a scheduled flight to Southampton, before being moved to the SeaLife Centre in Weymouth.
Ronnie Matheson, chief commercial officer at Loganair, said: “This was certainly one of the more unusual passengers we’ve welcomed on board, but supporting Crush’s journey was something we were very happy to do.
“Our teams worked closely with Peter and his colleagues to ensure that she could travel as calmly and comfortably as possible, whilst ensuring the safety of all of our passengers and colleagues.”
Dan Townsend, head of airside operations at Southampton Airport, said: “We’re delighted to support this special journey and play a small part in helping this young turtle get the expert care it needs.
“Our teams work closely with airline partners like Loganair to make sure unique animal movements like this one are handled safely and smoothly, and we’re proud to help facilitate its onward recovery.”
