A RARE turtle which was rescued from an Aberystwyth beach has sadly died just days after it was announced she had reached her target temperature.

The Kemp’s Ridley turtle, which is more accustomed to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is the rarest turtle in the world and is listed as ‘critically endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

While out walking his dog on Saturday, 12 December, Kevin Williams found the turtle and knew not to put it back in the sea, instead taking it home and placing it in his bath until the marine strandings co-ordinator for Wales, Rod Penrose was able to pick it up the next day and arrange for it to be transferred to Bristol Aquarium, where she was receiving intensive rehab from marine experts and vets.

But after announcing on Christmas Eve that the turtle had reached her target temperature of 25oC after earlier being diagnosed with hypothermia and septicaemia, the aquarium said on Boxing Day that she had sadly lost her fight for her life.

A spokesperson for the aquarium said: “We are saddened to report that the rare Kemps Ridley turtle which washed up on the Welsh Coast last week, has lost the fight for her life.

“Despite the best efforts of our rehabilitation team assisted by vets and turtle experts, the turtle was incredibly unwell.

“We knew from the start this turtle was in bad shape and was going to face some serious challenges in its rehabilitation, but we hope that the valuable experience of the past 12 days and knowledge gained from working with this turtle will enable us and others to help future stranded sea turtles.

“Thanks for everyone’s support during this time.”

The Marine Conservation Society advises people who find turtles on beaches not to put them back in the water and to report it to Marine Environment Monitoring on 01239 683033.