A storm-tossed 15-year-old loggerhead turtle, which was nursed back to health in a Galway aquarium, is finally due to be flown out to warmer waters today.
The turtle, known as Leona, had been awaiting a passage to a sanctuary in the Canaries for several months, and Aer Lingus has stepped into the breach.
The animal will be wrapped in damp material in a purpose-built box and given a boarding pass for economy class in the main cabin of an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Las Palmas, capital of Gran Canaria.
Leona was found in a comatose state on the Co Clare coast after last winter's severe storms. She was taken to Galway Atlantaquaria in Salthill after being examined by Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Galway county vet Rita Gately, who will escort the turtle to Gran Canaria along with aquarist Joanne Casserley, has worked with aquarium staff on the animal's recuperation. She has recently been introduced into the aquarium's ocean tank to ease the transition into a marine environment.
Loggerheads are an endangered species and a turtle sanctuary in Gran Canaria will examine her before her release – possibly later this week.
A GPS tracker will allow the turtle’s progress to be followed on the internet, with regular Twitter posts, while Galway Atlantaquaria will also have updates on Facebook.
