Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Rhossi that was rescued in Wales gets treatment at Houston Zoo (Credit: Barbara Alicea-Aponte/Houston Zoo)
It’s a tale two years in the making, including a helicopter ride from Wales to London and a transatlantic flight to Houston for a long-awaited homecoming for a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle—one of the most endangered species in the world.
After making the 5,000-mile journey to Texas, Rhossi is settling into his new surroundings while Houston Zoo’s veterinary team takes a closer look at his overall health before determining whether he’s ready to return to the warm waters of the nearby Gulf of Mexico.
Renowned senior veterinarian Dr. Joe Flanagan even briefly came out of retirement to treat the turtle.
He got a check of all his organs, eyes, mouth, shell, and flippers, along with x-rays and a CT scan to take a closer look at his lungs, where lingering pneumonia was detected.
Overall, Rhossi does appear healthy, active, and vigorous, according to the zoo’s team who will continue treating him until they can “ensure the best possible chance of a successful return to the wild”.
Rhossi’s survival story started on a Welsh Beach in December 2023 when a local dog discovered a tiny injured 2-pound turtle 5,000 miles away from home.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, Rhossi in rehab – Courtesy of Houston Zoo / Barbara Alicea-Aponte
Cold-stunned from the dangerously frigid north Atlantic waters, Rhossi was rescued and sent to rehab at Anglesey Sea Zoo, which stepped in and spent two years nursing him back to health. In that time, he’s grown stronger and more than tripled his weight—tipping the scale at 46 pounds.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are native to the Gulf of Mexico, but can occasionally be swept into powerful ocean currents and carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic.
After years of care in Wales, Rhossi finally made his way home to Texas on August 10, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
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Rhossi’s incredible journey required coordination between so many people and groups—the U.S. Fish & Wildlife, NOAA, Anglesey Sea Zoo, the Texas State Aquarium and Welsh helicopter pilot Darren Briggs—together, giving Rhossi an extraordinary lift spanning two continents.
While his return to the Gulf of Mexico will take a little longer than expected, Rhossi’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion in wildlife conservation. For now, the focus remains on getting this resilient sea turtle healthy and ready for his long-awaited return to the wild.
A portion of each admission ticket to Houston Zoo goes toward supporting their sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program.
CONTINUE RHOSSI’S JOURNEY – By Sharing His Story on Social Media…
