Something Squirrelly this Way Comes

Willie, a Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, made an appearance at RDU on Thursday. She was flown, free of charge, via American Airlines from London to Raleigh. After being inspected by a vet from NC State and deemed healthy, Willie was transported to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island.

Willie had come ashore on the British Isles back in January 2007. Alive. Kemp's Ridley sea turtles normally cannot survive the cold waters. Their range is typically from the gulf coast of Mexico, the Caribbean and up down the East coast of the US. Willie's survival has made her a TV star and when she landed, she had her own BBC film crew to document the event.

Willie will continue her rehab at the sea turtle hospital. Her caretakers hope to release her back to the wild in June. The BBC will continue to have cameras following Willie's journey.

Sea Turtle Takes Flight -- from London to Raleigh by Gareth McGrath, Star News.