For most people, working alongside a “diva” might sound like a nightmare, but for the staff at Sea Life Loch Lomond it’s a dream come true.
While some would tire of working with someone so in need of attention, April the turtle’s playful and friendly nature allows her to get away with her more demanding behaviours.
Her care takers, Robin and Kim, are happy to give April everything she needs to live her best life within the centre.
“She’s like a dog! She just loves attention and scratches,” Robin laughs. “Each turtle is different with their own personality and April is very sassy. She's a diva.”
“The turtles are a bit spoiled and get a lot of attention and care,” Kim adds.
Robin and Kim have been caring for April since she arrived at the centre after being discovered floating on the ocean surface in the Maldives.
Severely ill with a lung infection and missing her front leg after being tangled in netting with a plastic bag around her neck, April needed severe rehabilitation.
Now, April is thriving in her forever home within Seal Life Loch Lomond where she can live in comfort within a space that replicates her typical environment in the wild.
It’s thanks to Sea Life’s commitment to rescuing injured marine animals that April was able to survive.
Robin explains: “Without Sea Life Centres and other aquariums, turtles like April might not have somewhere to go.”
In the past, Sea Life Loch Lomond looked after another turtle called Iona who was found floating just off the Scottish isle of the same name.
After spending around five months at the centre before moving down to Sea Life Scarborough for a year, Iona was finally back in good health and was released back into the wild.
Seeing Iona become healthier, little by little and day by day, was an “emotional” process, recounts Robin. “It was nice to see a full circle moment and for her to have a nice ending.”
Sea Life Loch Lomond is celebrating their current and past turtle friends as they mark World Turtle Day - which falls on Thursday, May 23 this year.
As part of this, the team are also looking to raise awareness of the issues facing turtles in the wild and the importance of conserving the sea creatures.
Robin states: “Every single animal is important to the ecosystem. If one goes, the whole thing is messed up.”
Both litter and climate change are having negative impacts on the lives of wild turtles, leaving some injured and sick – much like April was before her rescue.
“The plastic in the ocean and getting trapped in nets is really affecting the wild population,” says Kim.
Robin continues: “Global warming means a lot of turtles are born female as the sex of the baby is determined by the temperature of the climate, so there’s less males to populate with.”
To try and combat these issues, Sea Life and the people behind World Turtle Day aim to spread awareness of the problems facing the wild sea creatures for the good of not just turtles, but all marine life.
“What will protect turtles will protect marine life in general,” Robin concludes.
The passion and love for turtles that Robin and Kim have is palpable as they beam when they talk about their work to care for and rehabilitate the creatures.
With Robin and Kim meeting all of April’s diva demands, it’s clear that after her hardships, she couldn’t have a better life than the one she’s found in her forever home within Sea Life Loch Lomond.
To find out more about World Turtle Day, visit: www.worldturtleday.org.
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