Nature Trail: Sea turtles migrating farther north due to rising temperatures in North Atlantic Ocean
The remaining six species are smaller in size and have hard shells. These are the Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Turtle, and the Flatback Turtle.
Five Loggerhead Turtles were recently found on Irish beaches between Inch in Co Kerry and Belmullet in Co Mayo. They are currently being cared for at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Co Kerry. The species is critically endangered so significant efforts are being made by the staff there to save these marine reptiles and to ensure they make a speedy recovery.
If you are at loggerheads with someone all it means is that you strongly disagree with them about something; it has nothing to do with turtles. Loggerhead Turtles get their name from their disproportionally large heads. They have exceptionally big heads to contain their powerful jaws and jaw muscles that they use to crush the shells of hard prey items like crabs, clams, and whelks.
Loggerhead Turtles have a worldwide distribution. They are the most common species of turtle found in the Mediterranean Sea, where they nest on beaches in Greece, Turkey, and Israel. They are also found around the Canary Islands. On the other side of the Atlantic they are common in Florida. Their young are known to undertake long-distance migrations and to be able to cross the ocean.
Scientists recorded a severe marine heatwave in the North Atlantic Ocean in the summer of 2023, with record-breaking sea surface temperatures, so it is believed that turtles are coming farther north due to global warming. Consequently, we are likely to see more strandings especially along the west coast.
The Green Turtle is a rarer species. One of them was washed up on a beach in Quilty, Co Clare last February. When it recovered from its ordeal Aer Lingus assisted in its transport to the Canary Islands.
If you find a stranded turtle the advice is not to try to return to the sea but to get it to a safe, warm place and to phone the emergency hotline at 097 28118 as soon as possible.
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Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Nature Trail: Sea turtles migrating farther north due to rising temperatures in North Atlantic Ocean
There are seven species of sea turtles in the world. The Leatherback Turtle is by far the biggest and is the only one with a soft, leathery back. The remaining six species are smaller in size and have hard shells. These are the Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Turtle, and the Flatback Turtle. Five Loggerhead Turtles were recently found on Irish beaches between Inch in Co Kerry and Belmullet in Co Mayo. They are currently being cared for at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Co Kerry. The species is critically endangered so significant efforts are being made by the staff there to save these marine reptiles and to ensure they make a speedy recovery. If you are at loggerheads with someone all it means is that you strongly disagree with them about something; it has nothing to do with turtles. Loggerhead Turtles get their name from their disproportionally large heads. They have exceptionally big heads to contain their powerful jaws and jaw muscles that they use to crush the shells of hard prey items like crabs, clams, and whelks. Loggerhead Turtles have a worldwide distribution. They are the most common species of turtle found in the Mediterranean Sea, where they nest on beaches in Greece, Turkey, and Israel. They are also found around the Canary Islands. On the other side of the Atlantic they are common in Florida. Their young are known to undertake long-distance migrations and to be able to cross the ocean. Scientists recorded a severe marine heatwave in the North Atlantic Ocean in the summer of 2023, with record-breaking sea surface temperatures, so it is believed that turtles are coming farther north due to global warming. Consequently, we are likely to see more strandings especially along the west coast. The Green Turtle is a rarer species. One of them was washed up on a beach in Quilty, Co Clare last February. When it recovered from its ordeal Aer Lingus assisted in its transport to the Canary Islands. If you find a stranded turtle the advice is not to try to return to the sea but to get it to a safe, warm place and to phone the emergency hotline at 097 28118 as soon as possible.
RTÉ News
13-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Surge in exotic turtles being washed ashore Irish coast
There has been a surge in the number of exotic turtles being washed ashore on the Irish coast. Five critically endangered loggerhead turtles are currently being cared for and recovering at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Co Kerry. Experts believe a recent marine heatwave in the Atlantic may have caused the turtles to travel much further north than usual. The loggerhead turtle is normally found in the Gulf of Mexico and also near the Canary and Cape Verde islands. The five turtles at the aquarium in Daingean Uí Chúis were rescued by members of the public in the past week. They were found on beaches in Inch, Co Kerry, Lahinch and Kilkee in Co Clare, Conamara in Galway and Belmullet in Co Mayo. Marine biologist Dr Kevin Flannery said it is highly unusual to see so many turtle strandings on the Irish coast. "What's happened is there was a marine heatwave in the Atlantic in May and June and if these turtles were crossing the Atlantic with the rising water temperatures they would have wandered into our waters. "And then, all of a sudden, cold shock would take hold when the water temperature dropped again," he said. Dr Flannery added: "These are young and obviously they weren't able to swim south again, and they got washed in along our coastline in the last couple of weeks." The turtles were extremely weak when they arrived at Dingle Oceanworld, but marine biologist Maria Foley said veterinary intervention and care is greatly assisting their recovery. "When these guys come in, their biggest issue is they tend to be cold-stunned and dehydrated. A lot of the time they have buoyancy issues. Quite often they have inflammation in their lungs." "What we do is we treat them with antibiotics and we rehydrate them and get them eating again." When the turtles have recovered sufficiently, efforts will be made to have them flown to a turtle hospital in the Canary Islands. Turtle strandings have been a rare occurrence on the Irish coast, but this year has brought a significant increase in the number of reports. Earlier this year a young loggerhead turtle was found on a beach near Blacksod in Co Mayo, while a rare green turtle was washed up on a beach in Quilty, Co Clare last February. In May, Aer Lingus assisted in the transport the green turtle to the Canary Islands. Experts said the recovery of five loggerhead turtles in a single week is unprecedented. Dingle Oceanworld is calling for Government funding to assist it in its turtle rehabilitation programme. "With climate change and the increase in sea temperatures this is going to be an ongoing thing," Dr Flannery said. He added: "The cost of collection, the cost of veterinary services, medication, heating, the cost of all the paperwork and repatriating them back to their native waters, it's a huge cost. "We receive a certain amount of support from National Parks and Wildlife Service but we need much more." According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles experience prolonged exposure to temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, causing them to become lethargic, unable to swim, and at the mercy of the tides. Gemma O'Connor of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) said it is important to remove the turtles from the water as soon as they are spotted. "If you happen to find a turtle on a stranded beach you should not return it to the water. "And if a turtle is found swimming it should be removed from the water immediately and brought to a warm place where its core temperature can rise slowly." The IWDG is managing a sea turtle stranding recording scheme on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The group is asking the public to report any sightings of living turtles to the IWDG emergency hotline (097) 28118. Dingle Oceanworld will also respond to calls for recovery.
Irish Post
17-06-2025
- Irish Post
Aer Lingus partners with Dr Norah Patten ahead of historic space mission
AER LINGUS has confirmed a new partnership with Mayo woman Dr Norah Patten who is set to become the first Irish person ever to go to space. The Irish airline has agreed a two-year deal in which it will provide travel for Dr Patten as she makes regular trips between Ireland and North America to prepare for her space mission. In June 2024 it was revealed that Dr Patten, who hails from Ballina, but now lives in Dublin, had been selected as one of three research astronauts who will fly to space on Virgin Galactic's new Delta Class spaceship. Dr Norah Patten (Pic: Naoise Culhane) The commercial flight is being planned by the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) to advance the scientific knowledge and operational insights gained from their inaugural IIAS-01 research spaceflight with Virgin Galactic which took place in 2023. The crew of their second flight, which is due to launch in 2026, will include IIAS bioastronautics researchers Kellie Gerardi of the United States, Dr Shawna Pandya of Canada, and Ireland's Dr Patten. 'Aer Lingus is proud to announce its partnership with Dr Norah Patten as she prepares for her groundbreaking mission to become the first Irish person in space,' the airline said this week. 'With a shared commitment to building new connections and inspiring exploration, Aer Lingus will partner with Norah as she prepares for her first ever research spaceflight,' they added. IIAS bioastronautics researchers Dr Shawna Pandya of Canada, Kellie Gerardi of the United States and Ireland's Dr Norah Patten (Pic: Virgin Galactic) 'A trained aeronautical engineer and passionate champion of STEM education, Norah has devoted herself to inspiring future generations of scientists, engineers, and trailblazers,' they explained. 'As she moves closer to making history, Aer Lingus has pledged its support through a two-year partnership, ensuring she can travel between her home in Ireland and North America—the hub of her groundbreaking research preparation.' In advance of her spaceflight, Dr Patten is undergoing intensive training and conducting advanced research at the National Research Council (NRC) in Canada, working alongside her fellow researchers, Dr Pandya and Ms Gerardi. The Irish woman previously admitted her dream of going to space started when she first visited the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland at the age of 11. Dr Norah Patten and colleagues pictured at the Irish Embassy in Canada (Pic: Now destined to become the first Irish person in space, she will continue to travel between Dublin and North America as she prepares for her spaceflight. Her preparation has included spacesuit testing and evaluation, microgravity research, as well as undertaking high-G flights designed to experience gravitational force. 'My mission to become the first Irish person in space is a huge undertaking and I'm grateful to Aer Lingus for their support on my journey,' Dr Patten said this week. 'As the flag carrier of Ireland, Aer Lingus has long inspired people to travel and to explore new destinations,' she added. 'This partnership with Aer Lingus will enable me to travel seamlessly to North America to continue my practical preparation and research, with each step bringing me closer to making this dream a reality. 'Together, I hope we can ignite the imaginations of young dreamers, encouraging them to undertake their own adventures – wherever they may be.' Lynne Embleton, Aer Lingus Chief Executive Officer, said the company's vision aligns perfectly with Dr Patten's. 'At Aer Lingus, our mission is to connect people, places, and possibilities - and Dr Norah Patten's extraordinary journey to become the first Irish person in space is the perfect embodiment of that spirit,' she said. 'Her determination proves that with ambition, dedication, and the ability to dream big, anything is possible,' she added. 'We are immensely proud to support Norah as she embarks on this historic journey over the next two years. 'This is a once-in-a-generation milestone for Ireland, and we have no doubt that her mission will inspire people across the nation and beyond to pursue their own aspirations. 'Norah is a true trailblazer, paving the way for Irish women in STEM and leaving a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.' See More: Aer Lingus, Dr Norah Patten, Space, Virgin Galactic
