A poor baby turtle – called Barnacle Bill – found washed up on a beach can’t go on holiday to Gran Canaria due to Brexit red tape.
A couple spotted him on the shoreline five months ago and took him to animal experts.
He was discovered with barnacles all over his shell – hence his nickname.
The loggerhead turtle – an endangered species – had been blown off course from the Atlantic in the English Channel during Storm Ciaran.
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He ended up on the beach in Chouet, Guernsey, and was taken in by the GSPCA.
Staff removed the barnacles from his shell.
He weighed just 885g (1lb 15oz).
They hoped to send Barnacle Bill to warmer waters in Gran Canaria to a rescue centre there.
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The GSCPA has previously sent turtles there.
But bosses said he’s now been left marooned because the UK is now out of the EU, as reported on What’s The Jam.
It is holding up his trip to the sun-drenched Canary Isle.
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Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle who was rescued back in November.
“And who was one of Storm Ciaran’s casualties has been with us for nearly five months.
“And although doing very well we are still waiting for the Spanish paperwork.
Mr Byrne added: “To move endangered species like loggerhead turtles we require export and import CITES documents and although we received the Guernsey forms very quickly we are still in need of the Spanish import forms.”
“We did have an offer of a flight from a very kind member of the public who owns a jet as we want to get Barnacle Bill to Gran Canaria where there is a wonderful turtle rescue who can make sure she is ready and who would release her for us.
“Currently there are concerns we might not be able to fly directly due to the UK being outside of the EU and we are awaiting clarification on what might need doing and what options we have.”
“The last turtle pre-Brexit the process was much easier and we are aware of eight turtles also needing to be transported to the same rescue from the UK in similar situations.”
Loggerhead turtles live in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, plus the Mediterranean Sea.
There are thought to be less than 50,000 of them left in the wild.
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