A CRITICALLY-endangered turtle washed ashore on a south Cumbrian beach has died at the Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport.

The Kemp’s Ridley turtle was due to be taken to Lakes Aquarium, Newby Bridge, on the day it died by Grange woman Sarah Neill, Cumbria Co-ordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

The turtle washed ashore on North Walney Nature Reserve in December, thousands of miles from its usual feeding ground around the Gulf of Mexico.

It was receiving round the clock care and was set to be tube fed as it had been refusing food and losing weight.

Ms O’Neill said: “I have taken it to Millcroft vets to be stored and it will be sent to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme for post mortem.

“We are all obviously absolutely gutted, but I'm so grateful to Maryport Aquarium and Millcroft Vets for all their help and support throughout the rescue.

“We have all learned a great deal and will be prepared for next time, if there is a next time.”