Beaching and rescue of a loggerhead turtle at Nausicaá

At the beginning of 2026, a young loggerhead turtle washed up on the beach at Calais and was brought to Nausicaá for treatment. Weakened by the cold, the turtle was taken care of by the centre's aquarium team and veterinarian.  

Two other turtles had already been rescued by keepers two years ago. "In 2023 and 2024, loggerhead turtles were spotted as far north as Denmark, due to particularly warm water temperatures," says Florent Kapps, head of the temperate sector. Carried by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the turtles travel further north, but at the end of summer, temperatures drop and those that are too far north of their usual habitat suffer thermal shock and become lethargic. Unable to swim against the sea currents, some of them end up stranded.  

In a few days, the young turtle will be transferred to the Centre for the Study and Care of Sea Turtles in La Rochelle. It will continue its recovery there until it is ready to be released back into the ocean.

In France, contact the Marine Turtle Network at this national emergency number: 05 46 44 99 99

• Or the fire brigade (18 or 112), who will pass on the information.

Indicate the precise location, approximate size, whether the animal is alive or dead, and the presence of visible injuries, tags or markings.

❌ What you should definitely not do

• ❌ Put them back in the water
• ❌ Give them something to eat or drink
• ❌ Move them without instructions
• ❌ Keeping them "to help" (illegal)

Contact the same number if the animal has died, as its analysis will provide valuable data for scientific monitoring and knowledge of the species.