A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Rhossi, recently stranded on the Welsh coast, finds itself in an unfortunate predicament due to actions taken by President Donald Trump. This critically endangered turtle washed up on Anglesey at the end of 2023 and has been receiving care to regain its health at the Anglesey Sea Zoo. Now fully recovered, Rhossi awaits a chance for repatriation back to its native waters in the Gulf of Mexico, but that journey is blocked by a series of executive orders initiated by Trump.
On his first day back in office, Trump signed more than 20 executive orders, which included halting foreign development assistance for at least three months. This decision significantly affected various conservation efforts, particularly the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, which had been pivotal in organizing the return of Rhossi to American waters. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), tasked with overseeing these initiatives, had to freeze funding, leaving Rhossi stranded and the conservation project in jeopardy.
Kemp’s ridley turtles, which are critically endangered with only about 7,000 remaining females, rely on specific habitats for their survival, notably the Gulf of Mexico. Under the administration’s new policy, international conservation projects have lost vital support, making it challenging for organizations like the USFWS to facilitate the repatriation of creatures like Rhossi.
Frankie Hobro, director of the Anglesey Sea Zoo, expressed profound frustration at the implications of these political decisions for wildlife. “Animal species don’t understand politics, they don’t understand boundaries and borders,” said Hobro. The zoo previously had success repatriating another Kemp’s ridley named Tally to Texas, but now those efforts seem to be in jeopardy.
The situation raises critical questions about the importance of international wildlife conservation amidst political changes. Former USFWS director Martha Williams noted the extensive setbacks to conservation programs under Trump’s administration, describing the cuts as “cruel” and emphasizing the lasting impact on wildlife protection efforts.
Rhossi’s story reflects the broader issues faced within conservation, showcasing how geopolitical decisions can have ripple effects that impede critical work. Williams urges advocates not to lose hope, encouraging individuals to share stories about wildlife conservation’s significance. While Rhossi remains at the Anglesey Sea Zoo pending a resolution, it underscores the essential relationship between policy and the environment—reminding us that every decision at the governmental level can affect the natural world in profound ways.