Barnacle Bill the turtle hitches a lift with the Royal Navy

Barnacle Bill will be 'shell-abrating' returning to the wild

A loggerhead turtle that washed up on the Channel Island of Guernsey during Storm Ciarán in November 2023 is set to be returned to warmer waters by the Royal Navy.

The turtle was named Barnacle Bill, as she was found covered in little crustaceans called barnacles that had to be removed.

Animal rescue charity the GSPCA has been looking after her for 13 months.

Barnacle Bill will be taken to Sea Life Brighton before being returned to the wild.

What happened to Barnacle Bill?

Barnacle Bill had to have the barnacles removed from her shell

When she arrived on the 6 November 2023 Barnacle Bill was described as being "very cold and weak".

After being cared for she quickly started to get better and has been growing in size for the 13 months she's been there.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said: "In that time from just over 700g she has now hit an amazing 3.8kgs."

"She has also grown over six inches in length also, being over 18 inches long now."

The turtle has now left Guernsey

Steve said the turtle has been microchipped and the paperwork has been submitted for her journey home.

However, he said to move an endangered animal like a loggerhead turtle requires special documents.

The charity said it had spent "nearly a year" trying to help her get home following issues with paperwork.

Now she'll head to Sea Life Brighton for a short stay before she's back in warmer waters thanks to the Royal Navy.

Safe travels Barnacle Bill!