In a statement the GSPCA said: “She was microchipped back in November and the paperwork submitted for her travels home to warmer waters and although thankfully we received the Guernsey export paperwork very quickly thanks to the Guernsey States Vets. 

“Sadly however we still seek appropriate Import paperwork which in the first instance was to Gran Canaria but due to complications we are having to explore other destinations such as Cape Verde or possibly Turkey.” 

The GSPCA Manager, Steve Byrne, said: “Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle who was rescued back in November and who was one of Storm Ciarans casualties has been with us for 9 months and has tripled in weight since her arrival and has been growing so well we are now looking for a much larger enclosure for her while we continue to seek CITES paperwork and a suitable destination for her to be transported. 

“To move endangered species like loggerhead turtles we require export and import CITES documents and although we received the Guernsey forms very quickly we in the first instance have been looking to move her to a rescue in Gran Canaria that we have used previously but due to the UK coming out of the EU the Spanish import forms have been much more complicated. 

“We have been informed we could transport her to a centre in the UK where they could hold for a quatrantine period before being transported to Gran Canaria but we would rather not have to transport her more than we have to so are currently looking at options in Cape Verde and Turkey. 

“Off the back of a BBC Guernsey interview we did we have an offer of a flight from a member of public who owns a jet as we want to get Barnacle Bill to Gran Canaria where there is a wonderful turtle rescue who can make sure she is ready and who would release her for us. 

“The most important thing is we need to get Barnacle Bill back where she belongs as she is growing every day and we are appealing to find her much larger swimming quarters as we continue to care for her.”