Admin and Brexit delay turtle's move, says charity

The GSPCA said the transfer of Barnacle Bill from Guernsey to Spain was delayed

Plans to send a rescued turtle to warmer waters have been caught up in "limboland", a charity has said.

Loggerhead turtle, named Barnacle Bill by rescuers, washed up on the west coast of Guernsey in November during Storm Ciarán.

The GSPCA said Bill was in a healthier state now and they wanted to send the animal to Gran Canaria to be released.

But paperwork delays and Brexit travel issues meant Bill - who was covered in barnacles when the animal was found - could not travel at the moment, GSPCA manager Steve Byrne said.

Barnacle Bill was given the name because of the barnacles that were attached to the animal

International rules mean a permit is required to move any live or dead animal which is listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Mr Byrne said due to loggerhead turtles being an endangered species, the GSPCA had been trying to obtain a CITES permit.

He said the paperwork from Guernsey came back "very quickly", but the forms from the Spanish authorities had not arrived.

The BBC has contacted the Spanish government for comment.

Mr Byrne said there were eight turtles in the UK which needed to be transported to Gran Canaria.

He said the GSPCA had discussed the possibility of Bill travelling with the other turtles in the UK or asking the Royal Navy to help.

He said: "we really want to fly her direct [to Gran Canaria] from here if we can."

'Awaiting clarification'

He added due to Brexit, there were "concerns" Bill might not be able to be flown directly to Gran Canaria, with the GSPCA "awaiting clarification".

He said: "As we are outside of the EU, due to Brexit there is a chance movements of turtles will be required to go through an airport with quarantine acceptance and possible additional tests on the animals such as salmonella, which wasn't required pre Brexit.

"We are hoping this isn't going to be the case as it will put time, cost and an extra destination like Madrid or Lisbon on to the travel for Bill which we would of course like to avoid if possible."

Mr Byrne added: "We're in a bit of a limboland, not knowing exactly what's going on and what's happening."

Swimming pool appeal

Speaking to BBC Radio Guernsey, Mr Byrne said a member of the public who owned a jet had offered to fly Bill to Gran Canaria.

But due to the paperwork hold ups, he said it was unclear when the turtle would be able to travel.

"I think we'd be better off buying a lottery ticket," Mr Byrne said.

"There's no chance of knowing, we have no information.

"All we have to do is be patient and wait for those kind authorities to get that paperwork done as soon as they possibly can."

In the meantime, the GSPCA has asked for anyone with a large heated swimming pool to contact them to help with Bill's recovery.