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Turtle rescued in Cumbria months after being rescued in France
Loggerhead turtles have become more common in UK waters in recent years.
Rescuer describes animal as “very lucky”.

A loggerhead turtle has been rescued from a Cumbrian beach less than a year after being rescued off the coast of France.

The turtle, named Nazaré after a Portuguese town famous for its waves, was discovered by members of the public on Friday, 2 February stranded on the shore of Walney Island, Cumbria.

A call was made to British Marine Life Divers Rescue who found the turtle covered in algae and cuts. According to the Marine Conservation Society, the algae on her body may have been caused by the turtle becoming comatose in the cold water.

Nazaré had a satellite tag attached to her, which was traced to an aquarium in France. It was discovered that she had been rescued off the coast of France in April 2023 with wounds to her limbs and neck.

After two months of rehabilitation at the French aquarium, she had been released with the satellite tag on. However, the tag had stopped transmitting in about December.

Since being found in Cumbria, Nazaré has received care at Sea Life Blackpool, and has recently been moved to Sea Life Scarborough to continue her recovery.

Sarah Neill, area coordinator for Cumbria at British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: “This turtle was very lucky to have been found and rescued when she was as the majority who are washed up in these circumstances sadly would not live.

“If they become ill, injured or weak, they can easily get swept up into the north Atlantic currents which will lead them into cold waters and anything colder than 15°C results in them being unable to feed.”

Todd German, curator at Sea Life Scarborough, added: “We are delighted to support our colleagues at Sea Life Blackpool with the next stage of Nazaré's journey to recovery.

“The care which Sea Life Blackpool has given Nazaré has been phenomenal, and
we are delighted she has made such incredible improvements. She still has a
significant way to go before we will hopefully be able to release her back to her natural habitat.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."