Rescued loggerhead turtle 'loved by generations'

A blind loggerhead turtle that spent 17 years at an aquarium in Cornwall after being rescued in Greece has died.

Omiros arrived at Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium in 2009, having suffered serious injuries from a fish hook that meant he could not have survived in the wild, the aquarium said.

The 1.5m (5ft) reptile had since been cared for by aquarists, who described him as a "huge character" that the team and visitors "came to know and love".

Steve Matchett, general manager and curator, said: "He touched the lives of an enormous number of people and played an important role in helping our visitors understand and appreciate these incredible animals."

Matchett added: "Our aquarists knew his individual personality and routines so well, and generations of visitors have grown up seeing him swimming through our ocean tank.

"Although we are devastated by his loss, we are incredibly proud to have been able to give Omiros a safe and comfortable home for so many years."

Loggerheads are one of seven species of sea turtle found around the world's oceans.

Loggerhead turtles can be found in the subtropical waters off north Africa but they have also been found in Sussex, Suffolk and as far north as Tyree in Scotland.

The species is classed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. There are an estimated 2,000 breeding females worldwide and out of every 1,000 hatchlings, on average, only one makes it to adulthood.

The aquarium said his story was a "reminder" of the challenges marine animals can face and the "important role" aquariums play in caring for animals unable to return to the wild.

It thanked everyone who had visited Omiros and "followed his story" over the years.

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