Last week, a family walking the beach on the Gulf Coast of Texas spotted an unusual sight in the sand in front of them.
Though it appeared be an odd mass of algae and barnacles washed upon the shore, a closer look revealed the heartbreaking truth.
It was, in fact, a loggerhead sea turtle clinging to life — her face, shell and flippers covered in harmful growth.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
Fearing for the turtle’s well-being, the family was soon on the phone with the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR). Their rescue and recovery team rushed to transport the turtle to their rehabilitation hospital for treatment.
Sadly, finding sea turtles in this condition isn’t uncommon — but she could still be saved.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
“These sea turtles often strand with epibiota — organisms living on the surface of one another. They become heavily encrusted when they are ill and tend to move less and float at the surface more,” GCSTR wrote. “This patient washed in with a variety of algae, acorn barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, worms, crabs, skeleton shrimp, bryozoans, and other small invertebrates.”
In this case, help was on the way.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
Over the days that followed, rescuers meticulously cleaned the harmful growth from around the sea turtle’s body — offering untold relief for the struggling animal.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
“She was weighed down, with barnacles embedded in her soft tissues and mouth,” GCSTR wrote.
But now she’s free of those life-threatening burdens.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
A spokesperson for GCSTR told The Dodo that, since the vigorous cleaning, the sea turtle’s condition has begun improving, saying: “[She] is doing well, eating now, and gaining weight.”
She’s also finally able to swim normally again.
Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research
Although rescuers say she’s not entirely out of the woods just yet, they “will continue to meticulously care for her.” And, with any luck, she’ll be released back into the sea to swim free yet again — thanks to all those who helped her along the way.
To support the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research’s lifesaving work, consider making a donation via their Amazon wish list.
Man Braves Crashing Waves To Save A Hopelessly Trapped Sea TurtleThose little fin flaps 🥺