Rescued turtle shows 'fighting spirit' after scan

A rescued turtle with a "fighting spirit" has reached another milestone in her recovery after undergoing a specialist CT scan.

Crush was taken to Sea Life Weymouth for treatment after being found washed up on a beach in Jersey following Storm Goretti.

Teams at the centre said the loggerhead turtle - which made national headlines after being transported on a passenger flight to Southampton - is recovering well.

She recently underwent a CT scan without the need for sedation, using a "specially designed structure" to keep her keep still and minimise stress.

Staff said Crush has made encouraging progress in recent weeks, gaining more than 700g - an increase of about 25% of her body weight.

She has also responded well to antibiotics for a lung infection, which is common in turtles stranded on UK shores in a weakened state.

Recent blood tests suggest the infection has almost completely cleared.

Crush will continue to undergo regular blood tests and X-rays, the team said.

Kico Iraola, curator at the centre, said: "Crush has shown an incredible fighting spirit since arriving with us, and this is a really encouraging stage in her recovery.

"Her weight gain over the past six weeks is a strong sign that she is responding well to treatment and the specialist care she is receiving.

"With sea turtles, there is no rushing the process. We take our lead from Crush every step of the way and will continue to give her all the care and support she needs."

Crush was discovered by a dog walker who initially thought she was dead before seeing her move.

She had been swept far from her natural warm-water habitat and was suffering from cold stunning – a potentially fatal condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold water.

After initial treatment in Jersey, she was flown to Southampton on a Loganair passenger flight before being transferred to the Weymouth centre.

Claudine Kirk, from Loganair, said the creature had to be taken to a separate area to be searched "as we can't put her through the security scanners".

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