The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), named Rhossi, is currently recovering at a zoo in the United States of America (USA), after an epic journey that took her to Wales, more than 8,000 kilometers from the place where she typically occurs.
This survival tale began in December 2023, when, on the sands of a Welsh beach in the United Kingdom, a sea turtle weighing about one kilogram was found by a local resident and his dog. Kemp’s ridley turtles are native to the Gulf of Mexico, on the other side of the Atlantic, but sometimes they can be swept by strong ocean currents for thousands of kilometers, as happened with Rhossi.
The turtle, shocked by the cold Atlantic waters, was rescued and taken in by a team at Anglesey Sea Zoo on the island of Anglesey in Wales. There she spent the last two years recovering. During that time, the male more than tripled in weight to 20 kg.
On August 10th, Rhossi finally returned to her home region, Texas, and is now housed at the Houston Zoo, where she continues to receive medical care. When she arrived there, she underwent examinations of organ function, eyes, mouth, shell, and flippers, and X-rays and CT scans were also performed to assess the bones and lungs.
In a statement, Houston Zoo says that, although she appears “healthy, active and vigorous”, the tests revealed that Rhossi is battling pneumonia. The institution assures that its medical teams will continue to closely monitor the animal’s progress and provide additional treatments whenever necessary, “to ensure the best possible chance of a successful return to the wild.”
So, although that return may take longer than initially expected, “Rhossi’s story is proof of the power of collaboration and compassion in wildlife conservation,” says Houston Zoo.
“For now,” he adds, “the focus remains on ensuring that this resilient sea turtle recovers her health and is ready for her long-awaited return home.”
