Turtle Caught in a Net Survives After Swimming 7,600 Kilometers

A turtle caught in a net was found on a beach in the United Kingdom. Still entangled in the net, the turtle had swum approximately 7,644 kilometers from the United States to the United Kingdom.

Dave Hudson, a photographer and student of marine conservation, discovered the Kemp's ridley sea turtle while walking with his dog at Holywell Bay in Cornwall.

Hudson is also a qualified diver and has previously freed a seal entangled in a net at sea.

The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is an endangered species found mainly in waters near Mexico and Texas. The turtle Hudson discovered was a juvenile that had not yet fully grown and measured about 30 centimeters. It was entangled in a discarded fishing net, and Hudson thought it might be dead.

Fortunately, however, the turtle was alive. Sharing the news on Facebook, Hudson explained, “This species is not seen in British waters, but it may have swum this far to escape the cold.”

He said the turtle was lucky, adding, “Turtles can suffer cold shock when the water temperature drops. When that happens, they cannot move their bodies properly and have no choice but to drift with the currents. This turtle was probably carried to Cornwall by waves driven by southwesterly winds. It is a miracle that it is alive.”

Hudson took the exhausted turtle to the Blue Reef Aquarium for emergency treatment. The turtle is now undergoing rehabilitation.

Reflecting on the unexpected encounter, he stressed, “Do not think there is nothing you can do. Even picking up litter on the beach can make a big difference.”