Willy the sea turtle to arrive at RDU today
By Leah Friedman, Staff Writer You think sitting next to a screaming baby on plane is bad?
How about the poor chap who'll be seated next to Willy the sea turtle today?
The reptile will be on an American Airlines flight from London to RDU and is expected to arrive around 4 p.m.
Willy is coming to the Triangle to be examined by a doctor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University. Then it's on to some relaxation at a rehabilitation center at the beach.
Willy washed ashore in Woolabombe Bay, Devon, United Kingdom, in January, 2007. The waters are typically too cold for these salt water reptiles, but Willy was rescued and taken to the Weymouth Sea Life Park, according to a news release.
Once Willy was on the road to recovery, arrangements were made to return the turtle to her natural habitat in the Western Atlantic.
But first, Willy must be examined by the good doctor, Craig Harms. She will then be presented to the media before making her journey to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail for a little sun and leisure.