Two loggerhead turtles are released back into the wild having been cared for at the aquarium in Dingle.
After a stay of 18 months in Dingle two turtles, unintended visitors to Ireland are on their way. Pink and Dylan are loggerhead turtles that were washed ashore. After intensive treatment, they have begun the long journey home in some style.
Dylan was washed ashore in West Cork and weighed just two and a half kilos. After treatment, he now weighs a healthy 29 kilos.
Only the fact that he could blink with one eye at his rescuers showed them that he was still alive.
Pink weighed in at 13 kilos when washed ashore in Waterville and now weighs 59 kilos. He now needs a special stretcher to be lifted.
Now that the two turtles have been rehabilitated, the naval vessel the LÉ Eimear will take them 200 miles south of Ireland to be released back into the wild.
Kevin Flannery of the Department of the Marine has provided instructions on their release back into nature.
Another turtle named Molly is still recovering back in Dingle. Molly was washed ashore last week after being attacked by a shark.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 September 2004. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
