TURTLE AWARENESS WEEK
AT BLUE REEF AQUARIUM
Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium is running a Turtle Awareness Week throughout the half-term holidays (February 12th-21st).
The aquarium operates one of the most successful sea turtle rehabilitation and release programmes in the UK and is currently caring for a young loggerhead turtle which stranded on a Cornish beach in January.
As part of the event, visitors will be able to find out all about the rescue and ongoing treatment programme for the female turtle with an exclusive exhibition featuring images, video and daily updates on her condition.
Blue Reef Aquarium’s Steve Matchett said: “In recent months there have been a high number of turtle strandings reported across the UK.
“It is unusual to see so many turtles being washed ashore but it is almost certainly a direct result of the high incidence of storms hitting our coasts over the winter.
“The last time we saw strandings anywhere near this number was in 2008. Hopefully the Turtle Awareness Week will provide a fun and informative introduction to these amazing ocean wanderers and their fascinating life stories
“As well as relating the stories of the turtle rescues that we have been involved with we will also be putting on daily talks and feeds at 1pm where visitors will be able to find out all about our resident rescued sea turtle Omiros,” he added.
Omiros was rescued by Archelon – the sea turtle protection society of Greece – after being discovered blind and entangled in fishing nets with old head injuries caused by fishing gear.
As he was unable to hunt or feed due to the severity of his injuries the decision was taken that he could not be released back into the wild and staff at Blue Reef volunteered to provide him with a permanent retirement home.
There will also be four additional daily feeds and a rockpool encounter throughout the holiday period.
Turtle Awareness Week (Feb 12th-21st) is taking place at Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium, Towan Promenade, Newquay TR7 1DU. For more information call 01637 878134, visit www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk/newquay or find us on Facebook.
Issued by Blue Reef Aquarium. For more information please contact Steve Matchett or Jade Horsley on 01637 878134.
