Kemp's ridley turtle stranded in Wales due to funding freeze

A rare Kemp's ridley sea turtle named Rhossi was rescued from a beach in Wales but now faces delays in returning home. This turtle is originally from the Gulf of Mexico and was found on the coast of Anglesey, northern Wales, in 2023. After recovering at the Anglesey Sea Zoo, Rhossi was ready for release into its natural habitat. However, plans to send Rhossi back to the US have been postponed due to a funding freeze from the Trump administration. This freeze affects foreign development assistance and has impacted international marine conservation efforts. Frankie Hobro, the zoo's director, expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting that animals don't understand political decisions. Previously, the US Fish and Wildlife Service provided support through the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, which has now been halted. Despite this setback, Hobro remains hopeful. She suggested exploring alternative routes, like possibly working through Mexico to return Rhossi to the Gulf. While there are other options, Hobro noted it would be disappointing to not utilize existing connections in Texas. She is now focused on figuring out the timeline for these changes and whether to pursue different solutions for Rhossi and future turtles.