Three loggerhead turtles rescued in the United Kingdom have been released off the coast of the Azores after receiving extensive care following their unexpected arrivals far north of their natural habitat. The releases took place this week as part of a coordinated effort to return the endangered reptiles to more suitable subtropical waters.

One of the turtles, named Crush by her rescuers, was discovered lifeless on a Jersey beach on January 19 after being affected by cold shock and hypothermia. A dog walker found the reptile and raised the alarm, leading to Crush’s transfer to Sea Life in Weymouth where she received specialist treatment. After her recovery, Crush was transported approximately 1,600 miles to the Azores in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by two other loggerheads, Eden and Tiree. The latter two had been found in poor condition on Scotland’s west coast in 2025 and were similarly rehabilitated by marine scientists.

Loggerhead turtles generally inhabit subtropical waters off the coast of North Africa but can occasionally be swept northwards by storms, putting them at risk in colder climates. Their presence in UK waters is unusual and often signals danger to their health.

Deva Edge, a representative from Sea Life Brighton who participated in the release, described the event as deeply emotional. “It was one of the best moments of my life. We were all bawling afterwards. It’s very bittersweet. You definitely form very strong attachments but it’s the best goodbye possible,” she said.

Victoria Goodier, the aquarist responsible for Crush’s care during her rehabilitation, noted that the turtles swam strongly upon release. Crush was equipped with a satellite tracker to monitor her movements over the coming months. Goodier expressed hope that the tracking would provide valuable data on the turtle’s journey, though she acknowledged that once the device ceases functioning, the team will lose contact. “We won’t ever see her again,” she remarked.

Joe Williams, curator at Sea Life Brighton, also commented on the release, acknowledging the tense moments during the rehabilitation process. “There had been a lot of anxious moments but the release went as well as possible,” he said. “All three of them have gone back out into the blue.”

The successful rescue and release highlight the ongoing efforts by marine conservationists to protect vulnerable marine species displaced by unusual environmental conditions. The collaboration between rescue centres and scientific teams continues to be vital for the survival of turtles found outside their typical ranges.