An incredibly rare turtle that cannot normally survive in the North Sea has been discovered alive in the area as global warming continues to see temperatures rising.
The loggerhead turtle was found on 24th December 2024 by holidaymakers on the beach near Rantum on the island of Sylt, located in the North Sea off Germany’s northern coast.
The turtle, which is native to tropical and subtropical seas, is classified as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
It is believed the turtle was washed into the North Sea from warmer waters by the Gulf Stream, although this is only local speculation and exactly how it arrived remains unclear.
With the North Sea water temperatures hovering around just 6 degrees Celsius, the turtle would not have survived much longer without intervention.
The animal was taken by a patrol car crew to the Sylt Aquarium, where it is now being nursed back to health.
Sylt, a popular holiday destination, has seen warmer sea temperatures in recent years, leading to an increase in sightings of typically non-native species like the loggerhead turtle and even bluefin tuna.
The turtle will gradually be acclimatised to warmer water to avoid shock, as it had seemingly been exposed to the cold for an extended period.
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