Ailing Endangered Sea Turtle Found Near Camp Pendleton

Friday, January 13, 2012

Associated Press

Experts are nursing an ailing endangered sea turtle that was found at Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego County.

U-T San Diego says Pendleton wildlife biologists found the olive ridley sea turtle on the camp's Blue Beach Thursday.

It was taken to SeaWorld San Diego for care.

Park spokeswoman Kelly Terry says the 42-pound turtle had shell wounds. It was dehydrated, underweight, hypothermic and may have swallowed plastic debris.

Sea turtles feed on jellyfish and they can mistake plastic bags for food, with potentially deadly consequences.

Olive ridley turtles that breed off the coast of Mexico are considered endangered under U.S. law. Other populations are considered threatened.

Comments

Avatar image for user 'Peking_Duck_SD'

Peking_Duck_SD | January 13, 2012 at 6:44 p.m. ― 1 year, 5 months ago

Thanks to those working to nurse the turtle back to health!!

( | suggest removal )

Forgot your password?

Become a member and save

© 2013 KPBS