Blue Reef is celebrating turtle Omiros’ 10 years at attraction

By Warren Wilkins 17th July 2019

NEWQUAY’S aquarium is celebrating its resident turtle’s 10-year anniversary at the

attraction.

The Loggerhead sea turtle, known as Omiros, was rescued off the coast of Greece and has been living at the Blue Reef Aquarium ever since.

Lara Heaney, the displays supervisor, said: “Omiros was found with a fish hook wounding his eye, eventually leading to blindness in both eyes.

“He wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild on his own so he lives here and is cared for by our team of aquarists.

“We target feed him so he gets his daily meals and he touches the sides of the ocean tank so he can feel his way. He’s such a great character, we love having him here.”

There are seven species of sea turtles and they are categorised as either vulnerable or critically

endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

Blue Reef has been involved in a number of turtle rescue and rehabilitation and release projects over the years,

including the baby loggerhead Tallulah who was successfully released back into the wild after receiving round the clock care.

To mark the 10-year anniversary of Omiros’ arrival and the aquarium’s contribution to the rescue and release of these sea creatures, the aquarium is going ‘turtle crazy’ over the summer holidays with special turtle activities.