Rotterdam Zoo brings turtles to the Azores
This past winter, Diergaarde Blijdorp took in numerous stranded loggerhead sea turtles. Now that the once severely hypothermic animals have regained their strength in the Rotterdam zoo, it was time to return them to the wild. The destination for these armored creatures: the Azores.
With the flight on the horizon, extensive preparations were made in Blijdorp. Special crates were built to ensure the turtles could travel comfortably during the flight. In wooden crates, the turtles will have a moist 'mattress' to rest on. Covered with a wet cloth, the animals will make the journey in comfort.
And comfort is not a luxury, as the animals will have a layover in Lisbon. Fortunately for them, everything has been arranged. In collaboration with a transporter specialized in animal logistics, Diergaarde Blijdorp has meticulously prepared the journey to the Azores. No detail has been overlooked to ensure that the turtles arrive safely in Horta, from where they will return to the open sea. A Blijdorp staff member will accompany the turtles to oversee the process and ensure everything runs smoothly on site.
Because it’s not just a matter of releasing them back into the sea. The turtles are being equipped with special transmitters. These so-called trackers, donated by the Friends of Blijdorp, will allow the movements of the released turtles to be monitored. It is crucial to determine why so many turtles stranded this past winter. Was it a coincidence? Or does it relate to changing climate conditions and ocean currents? The small transmitter attached to their shells will precisely track where the ‘Rotterdam’ turtles are and where things might unexpectedly go wrong. After some time, the transmitter will naturally detach from the shell.
Diergaarde Blijdorp is currently busy expanding its quarantine aquariums in anticipation of an expected increase in stranded turtles in the near future. It's almost certain that such strandings will become more frequent, and not just in the Netherlands. Simultaneously with the Rotterdam zoo, the English Sea Life Scarborough also released a loggerhead sea turtle back into the ocean.