Solstice, a rare green sea turtle found paralysed by cold on Christmas Eve on a beach in Co Clare, was set free in Spain's Canary Islands, six months after she was rescued and underwent a programme of care by vets.
The young turtle, which would normally swim in tropical or subtropical waters, was probably taken by northbound currents and washed up almost dead on the beach, Pascual Calabuig, a vet and biologist from the fauna conservation centre in Gran Canaria, said.
Solstice was discovered by a woman who runs a hedgehog sanctuary in Quilty, Co Clare.
The woman reached out to the team at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Daingean Uí Chúis, who determined that the turtle was suffering from pneumonia and meningitis, likely brought on by the shock of the cold Atlantic waters.
Further inspection revealed bite marks on the turtle's shell, likely inflicted by a seal or shark.
While in the aquarium, the turtle gained strength and around 2kg, after being treated with antibiotics and being fed.
Like most reptiles, turtles are unable to regulate their body temperature and become paralysed when water around them gets too cold.
Ms Foley flew with Solstice yesterday on an Aer Lingus flight to Taliarte on Gran Canaria, which is located off West Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, to set her free.
For six months, the turtle was fed with prawns and squids and treated with antibiotics.
She is now fully recovered.
Solstice is the second turtle Ms Foley's team have brought from Ireland to Taliarte.
Recent studies have shown areas suitable for sea turtles have extended, probably due to warmer seawaters, though since their lifespan is so long, behavioural change must be observed over long periods.
Green sea turtles, though classified as endangered, are fairly common around the Canary archipelago.
They take their name from the colour of their fat, not the colour of their shell.
