Fourth rare loggerhead found dead

Loggerheads are classed as an endangered species

Beachgoers in Cornwall have been asked to be on alert after another rare sea turtle was found dead.

It is the fourth loggerhead to be found in the South West since January and it is thought the recent stormy conditions probably washed the turtle ashore.

The loggerhead was discovered by a walker on Wanson beach, near Widemouth Bay, on Thursday.

Two turtles which were found alive are currently being cared for at an aquarium in Newquay.

Joana Doyle from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: "It is unusual that we have had so many loggerhead turtle strandings around Cornwall and other parts of the UK in the last few months."

Slow metabolism

The trust has asked people to be on the lookout, but warned it was important to realise a turtle could appear dead when it was not.

"Due to the cold water temperatures the turtle's metabolism slows right down and they may not move at all, so people may think they are dead," Ms Doyle said.

"The most important thing to do is to report a stranded turtle as soon as possible and never try to return it to the sea, as this will result in it dying."

Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are categorised as endangered on the internationally-recognised red list of threatened species.