Turtles celebrate birthday at Brighton's Sea Life Centre

Lulu and Gulliver - the world's oldest captive sea turtles - will mark their 82nd birthday at Brighton Sea Life Centre.

The pair, who have lived together at the aquarium for more than a decade, are set to enjoy to deep-sea disco, soundtracked by some of their favourite artists including Lady Gaga and the Spice Girls.

Lulu and Gulliver live at the Brighton Sea Life Centre

Keepers say they first started playing music to the green sea turtles during lockdown to stop them from getting lonely when people were unable to visit due to Covid restrictions.

Neil Harris, Sea Life Brighton’s general manager, said he continues to be shell-shocked by how spritely the ageing green turtles still are.

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He said: “Lulu and Gulliver have been with us for more than a decade. They have such a wonderful influence at Sea Life Brighton and are always so friendly when guests are visiting, so we want to throw them a birthday bash they deserve.

The turtles in Brighton are celebrating their 82nd birthday

“They are such a cute couple in their old age, and it is very rare to see one without the other.

“They may be the oldest green sea turtles in an aquarium, but they’re still young in spirit and with World Turtle Day coming up, it’s a cause for two celebrations.”

Despite celebrating their 82nd birthday, the couple are still inseparable, and they can often be seen sticking their necks out to find one another and have even been seen to share a kiss or two.

During the aquarium’s £2.7 million redevelopment in 2019, the turtles were temporarily separated while works were taking place.

Gulliver spent the time at Sea Life Blackpool, enjoying similar seaside comforts to his time in Brighton, while Lulu was sent inland to the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham.

There will, fortunately, be no more moving for the pair as they live out the rest of their retirement at Sea Life Brighton.