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Blind Homer moves to UK coastal home

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Homer the turtle. New home.

Airlifted to safety: Homer at the Archelon rescue centre in Athens

8 Feb 2010

A turtle which was deliberately blinded off the coast of Greece was flown to Britain last week to start a new life.

The 123lb (56kg) loggerhead turtle, Homer, will be cared for at the Blue Reef Aquarium at Newquay in Cornwall.

He has been cared for since 2007 at a rescue centre near Athens, but is now ready for a long-term home.

Pavlos Tsaros, from the Greek rescue centre, said turtles could destroy fishing gear and were deliberately blinded by some fishermen.

Mr Tsaros, who has been been caring for Homer at the Archelon rescue centre in Greece said, “One of his eyes was missing and the other was poked out.

“Turtles can destroy fishing gear. It’s a big cost, so some fishermen do it intentionally.”

A vet decided that Homer was fit enough to be saved and since then he has put on more than 22lb (10kg) of weight on a diet consisting mainly of crustaceans.

Mr Tsaros said the staff had grown very fond of Homer.

“It took a year and half to get him eating by himself and now he can smell the food and use his flippers to feed.

“He will be very happy to have a big tank and hopefully he will have a happy life.”

Homer, who is about 40 years old, could have another 60 years ahead of him, so Blue Reef will be doing its best to make him feel at home.

He knows how to find his food by putting his flipper against the walls and guiding the food to his mouth.

Matthew Slater, curator in charge of Homer’s new home, said, “ Homer can’t look after himself so he will stay here to educate people about turtles.

“We are very excited and looking forward to seeing him settle in.”

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