A rare loggerhead turtle, affectionately named Crush, is preparing for a significant journey back to the wild after being nursed back to health in the UK. Found in a critical condition on a Jersey beach earlier this year, Crush will soon be flown 1,500 miles to the Azores, where she will be released into warmer Atlantic waters.
Crush's ordeal began on 19 January 2026, when she was discovered apparently lifeless following the severe weather brought by Storm Goretti. Suffering from severe hypothermia, a condition known as 'cold-stunned', and malnourishment, the turtle’s body was shutting down. Her initial care involved a two-week stay at the family home of a veterinary director in Jersey before she was carefully transported to Southampton and subsequently to the Weymouth Sea Life centre.
At the Weymouth facility, Crush received specialist care alongside other rescued turtles. Regular CT scans and consistent monitoring of her weight ensured her recovery progressed as expected. Seb Webster, manager of the Sea Life centre, expressed his delight at the news of Crush's impending release, confirming that the animal care team and veterinary experts have given her the final sign-off to return to her natural habitat.
Currently in quarantine, Crush is expected to undertake her second flight within a matter of weeks, with the team hoping for her release by the end of July 2026. Members of the Sea Life team will accompany Crush on her journey from Heathrow. Upon arrival in the Azores, she will spend a couple of days in a specialised facility to ensure she has recovered from the travel before being released just off the coast.
Loggerhead turtles are classified as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated 2,000 breeding females globally. It is believed Crush was swept north from her usual subtropical habitat by powerful storms and currents. While her exact sex is unknown, rescuers refer to her as 'she' due to her larger tail, a characteristic often observed in females.