Rare, Gigantic, Big-Ass 475-Pound Leatherback Sea Turtle Rescued in South Carolina
Posted: March 11, 2015 Filed under: Science & Technology, U.S. News | Tags: aquarium, Endangered Species Act, Leatherback Turtle, Marine biologist, South Carolina, South Carolina Aquarium, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Yawkey-South Island Preserve Leave a comment
(CNN) — Marine biologists at the South Carolina Aquarium are treating a rare, 475-pound leatherback sea turtle that washed up Saturday on a nearby beach.
The episode marks the first rescue of a leatherback sea turtle in South Carolina and is believed to be only the fifth live rescue of this species in the United States, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
“That’s the biggest goddamn turtle I’ve ever seen.”
The endangered turtle was found stranded on the Yawkey-South Island Preserve, a wildlife refuge near Georgetown, South Carolina. Rescuers named it Yawkey.
Because the turtle is believed to be a juvenile — rescuers say it’s probably less than 10 years old — and has not reached sexual maturity, biologists can’t yet determine its sex.
(Photo: Courtesy of South Carolina Aquarium via CNN)
Rescuers found no external signs of trauma to the reptile, although it was hypoglycemic. Staffers with the aquarium’s sea turtle rescue program gave it antibiotics, vitamins and some time to recover at their facilities.
The treatments appear to be helping. Aquarium officials said the turtle was more energetic Tuesday than when it was first admitted….(read more)
pundit from another planet 