Injured Turtles recovering well

Steve and Squirt are using synchronised swimming as part of their recovery

The turtles have been moved to a new tank in the main area of Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium.

Now members of the public have their first chance to see a pair of rescued sea turtles.

The turtles have spent the last eight weeks recovering in a special quarantine facility in the Aquarium.

Steve prepares to move home

The two loggerhead turtles have been moved to the aquarium's 'lagoon' display for the latest stage in their rehabilitation prior to being released back into the wild.

The turtles, named Steve and Squirt have bounced back and made strong recoveries since being found stranded on Cornish beaches during summer 2009.

If their recovery continues to improve the plan is to fly them to the Canary Islands to be returned to the wild in a few months.

Speaking about the recovery process, Matt Slater from the aquarium, said: "These are by far the smallest turtles we have looked after and we were all a little concerned when they first came in to see whether they would make it.

"Fortunately they're clearly both real little fighters and have responded extremely well to treatment.

Although in the juvenile stage at the moment, the species can reach lengths in excess of a metre. As natural carnivorous, in their habitat, the turtles like to feed on crabs, shellfish, and even jellyfish.

Normally the loggerheads are found nesting in the far warmer waters of Florida or Oman in the Middle East.

Squirt enjoys a warm dip in a temporary tank

Now their recovery has improved, Steve and Squirt have been moved to a larger enclosure where for the first time members of the public can view the near-rehabilitated turtles.

Speaking about the relocation Matt Slater said: "Now they are in the larger lagoon display they will be able to fully exercise their flippers, get used to swimming again and regenerate lost muscle mass," he added.

Normally, sightings of Loggerhead turtles in UK waters are very rare. However, the species like many other warm water dwelling species seem to be on the rise. In the case of Squirt and Steve it is thought the pair probably travelled over from America in the milder waters of the Gulf Stream.

The pair of loggerheads should be making a departure in early 2010, so far this year the rehabilitation centre has successfully released nine turtles back into the wild this year.