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15th September 2021
03:14pm BST

Image via Aer Lingus.
The family brought the turtle to Exploris Aquarium in Down where he has since been recuperating in a tropical tank as the loggerhead turtle's natural habitat is warm shores.
Covid-19 restrictions previously prevented the repatriation efforts but JC, now weighing 25kg, will today travel south to the Canary Islands on Aer Lingus flight EI 782, captained by Peter Lumsden. The turtle will be transported in a specially designed waterproof crate, accompanied by his minder Portia Sampson.
Image via Aer Lingus.
“It is our pleasure to welcome aboard a very special passenger today and to ensure the safe transportation of JC the Turtle to Gran Canaria," Aer Lingus pilot Captain Peter Lumsden said on Wednesday.
"Like all of us on the flight today, I’m sure he is looking forward to the warmer climate upon landing.”
JC will be under the care of veterinarian Pascual Calabuig of the Tarifa Wildlife Recovery Centre when he lands in Gran Canaria who will oversee his acclimatisation to the warmer weather before releasing JC back into the sea later this week.Explore more on these topics: