LONDON -- Terri the turtle is going home.
The wandering reptile, who washed up in Jersey cold and startled several weeks ago, was flown to the Canary Islands on a private jet loaned by Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson on Friday.
Perhaps we should rewind a bit.
Terri, a loggerhead turtle usually found in Mediterranean regions enjoying balmier climes, turned up in Jersey on Jan. 10, probably buffeted into cold and inhospitable waters by a storm.
She eventually made her way into the caring arms of some local vets, who treated her for shell damage and signs of an infection before starting a fundraising campaign to get her to the Canary Islands, a much more turtle-friendly place. It has amassed some £6,500 ($9,280) of donations.
However, as vet Peter Haworth pointed out, Terri needed a private jet to get there. She wasn't being a diva - she has to fly on a certain schedule and at a certain altitude. Too high, and air in the shell can expand causing turtles to explode, Haworth said. Too low and the plane will have to make several stops and there are temperature issues.
Enter Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden frontman and avid pilot of both private and commercial planes. Guernsey-based company Aeris Aviation offered his jet at a reduced cost.
Sadly it wasn't the band's Boeing 747 Ed Force One, but it was a sweet ride nonetheless, and much cheaper than the £22,000 quoted for Terri's original flight.
On Friday, Terri was packed into the plane for take off.
The journey was scheduled to take around five hours with a refuelling stop.
Everything went well as Terri made her way south, and she finally landed "in amazing condition" in her new home.
They have landed for the re fuelling stop :) Terri is coping well and has more space than the vets and presenter! More to follow— NEWERAVET (@NEWERAVET) January 29, 2016
LANDED!!!!!!!— NEWERAVET (@NEWERAVET) January 29, 2016
Even better news!!! The turtle vet is amazed!! He said she is really strong and now in amazing condition. She... https://t.co/2pGeeWsgi4— NEWERAVET (@NEWERAVET) January 29, 2016