Two endangered turtles who were struck by boats have had a ‘crucial’ CT scan after a successful operation to transport them.
Rescued green sea turtles Sharky and Josie, who now call Weymouth Sea Life Centre, were taken for the major scan at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London.
The journey from Weymouth to the RVC in Camden, which took almost four hours and covered nearly 140 miles, was meticulously planned to minimise stress for the turtles.
The pair had to have the scan to check for any hidden internal issues and to assess the creatures’ overall health. They were both severely injured in boat collisions in Florida around the year 2000, leading to permanent damage to their shells and internal organs. 
A spokesperson for Sea Life Weymouth, said: "Our turtles are incredibly resilient, but it’s our duty to ensure they receive the best possible care. The CT scan gives us a clear understanding of their internal health."
The pair are trained to swim into a special stretcher used for weighing and transport and both voluntarily entered the device, which lifts them from their tank.
They were then transported in custom-made wooden crates lined with padding and equipped with ventilation to ensure comfort.
Their shells had to be coated with Vaseline to prevent drying during the journey, and a heated van maintained a stable 24°C to accommodate the turtles' tropical needs.
Upon arrival in London, the turtles were anesthetized and guided through the scan.
The scan provides more detailed information than traditional X-rays and 3D images allow veterinarians to see internal structures and skeletons with precision.
CT scans for turtles are essential for detect bone infections, check for ingested foreign objects and monitor for non-viable egg production.
After a quick review of the scans, the turtles were carefully woken up and returned to Weymouth, where they resumed their usual routine, including feasting on their favourite snack - squid.
Green sea turtles typically live in warm, tropical waters and are known for their calm demeanour.
Sharky and Josie both found their home in Weymouth in 2010 after spending nearly a decade at the Marathon Turtle Hospital in Florida.
Due to their injuries, they were classified as ‘bubble butts,’ a term used for turtles that have air trapped under their shells, making them too buoyant to dive properly in the wild.
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