Crime & Safety
Sea Turtle Stranded On Cape Cod Dies, Second In 2 Weeks
Experts say it's unusual to have turtles wash ashore over such a short period.
EASTHAM, MA – A sea turtle that beachgoers and animal rescuers flocked to save after it washed up on a Cape Cod beach has died. Now specialists at the New England Aquarium's Quincy Animal Care Center will try to determine what caused the death of the 286-pound live leatherback sea turtle, according to the Patriot Ledger.
It is the second live sea turtle to wash ashore in as many weeks, which experts say is rare. The aquarium's chief veterinarian told the Patriot Ledger they have had just five stranded live leatherbacks since 2005.
Video taken Sunday at First Encounter Beach in Eastham showed a crowd loading the sea turtle onto a cart so it could be taken to the animal hospital. A spokesman for the New England Aquarium told the Boston Globe the turtle was in "near-death" condition when it arrived at the care center.
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A 420-pound turtle died earlier this month after it was found on a Brewster beach on Halloween.
Previously: Stranded Sea Turtle Rescued On Cape Cod [WATCH]
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Top photo via Shutterstock (not of the same turtle)
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