TRURO – From Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary: A big sea turtle save on the beaches of Truro this afternoon! Thanks to the Truro DPW for loading this very large adult male loggerhead into their truck and bringing it to the sanctuary. This turtle is now on its way to the New England Aquarium! Shout outs to: the DPW’s Peter Morris, Mike Locke, Jeff Holway, Kyle Halvorsen, Tim Collins(Fire Chief) and Truro Conservation agent Emily Beebe!! You guys rock!
Update: The New England Aquarium sorry to share news of the death of the 350-pound loggerhead sea turtle rescued from Cape Cod on Friday.
The adult male loggerhead stranded on a beach in Truro, a rare occurrence for our area so early in the season and indicative of underlying health issues. The turtle arrived at the Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital minimally responsive and not breathing on his own. Aquarium veterinarians and biologists administered medications and replacement fluids to help stabilize the turtle, but did not expect him to make it through the night.
Over the weekend, he remained in guarded condition with multiple health problems. Despite receiving expert care around the clock, his condition continued to deteriorate and he died Tuesday. Necropsy results confirmed this turtle stranded after becoming too weak to survive. The turtle had been ill for weeks or even months and had reduced body fat, pneumonia, and possible abnormalities in several organs.
We want to thank the public for the outpouring of well wishes for this turtle as well as your support for the Aquarium’s sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program. Our work continues for the more than 70 other turtles in the hospital and the dozens more stranding daily that need care.
