Sadness as rescued turtle dies in centre

Sadness as rescued turtle dies in centre

28 January 2015

A RESCUED loggerhead turtle has died after drifting into cold water en route from the Caribbean to the Atlantic.

Columba died overnight at Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry where staff had struggled to help him recover from hypothermia.

He had been discovered on a Donegal beach on Saturday before being transferred to Exploris for expert care.

It was the first time in 20 years that a loggerhead turtle had been cared for at the aquarium and staff had warned the 12 year-old turtle was in danger after drifting off course into water of just eight degrees. Loggerhead turtles need to remain at a temperature of at least 15 degrees to survive.  

The team at Exploris gradually warmed the turtle from his hypothermic state, taking turns to remain in the tank with Columba who needed help to keep his head above water.

They said Columba, who had been given an antibiotic injection by a vet, picked up slightly with occasional spells of activity followed by long periods of lethargy and sleep.

Aquarist at Exploris, Tania Singleton, said the team was saddened by his death.

“Logger head turtles are found in the Atlantic and usually follow the Gulf Stream,” she explained.

“It is possible that Columba became unwell and drifted or was washed off course by a storm,” she said.

“A post-mortem will reveal whether Columba did have an underlying condition which may have caused his death. The team are incredibly saddened to lose this magnificent turtle.”