Rare turtle rescued in Wales in 2023 flies 5,000 miles home to Gulf of Mexico

A rare sea turtle that washed up on a Welsh beach close to death is now preparing for an extraordinary 5,000-mile journey back to its natural home in the Gulf of Mexico.Rhossi, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was found near Rhosneigr on Anglesey in December 2023. He was less than two years old and barely alive after becoming “cold-stunned” from being in waters much colder than his natural habitat. Staff at Anglesey Sea Zoo have spent more than two years nursing him back to health.Now, conservationists are preparing to fly Rhossi across the Atlantic in a carefully coordinated operation. His journey will begin with a helicopter flight from Anglesey to London, followed by a cargo flight to Houston, Texas, before he is returned to the wild.KY Jelly and Vaseline will protect Rhossi during the journeyBecause Rhossi normally lives in the sea, travelling out of water presents a major challenge.