140-Pound Turtle In Ocean City Falls Ill, Gets Rescued

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A sick and struggling sea turtle in Ocean City's waters is receiving medical care in North Jersey. The 140-pound loggerhead sea turtle was found floating June 27 in Ocean City.

Her buoyancy prevented her from diving. She was also covered with barnacles, a sign she felt ill for a long time.

The 20-year-old turtle was hospitalized at Sea Turtle Recovery. The nonprofit rehabilitates sea turtles and educates the public on turtles' ecological role and threats and endangering them. The nonprofit is located inside Essex County's Turtle Back Zoo.

Staff began stabilizing the turtle and diagnosing the cause of her illness. Sea Turtle Recovery has administered several medications, but test results have been inconclusive. Mount Laurel Animal Hospital has helped with imaging diagnostics.

“We are excited to provide advanced diagnostic options to all animals including endangered species like sea turtles, which has allowed us to make the same strides in exotic animal medicine as we have available to cats and dogs” says Dr. Christopher Torre, owner and veterinarian of Mount Laurel Animal Hospital.

Loggerhead sea turtles live an average of 60-80 years and can grow to over 350 pounds, according to Sea Turtle Recovery Co-Executive Officer Bill Deerr. They reach maturity at around age 25, when they begin mating and nesting.

If you see a sick, injured or dead sea turtle, report it to the Coast Guard or local police immediately. Or contact the NOAA Fisheries 24hr hotline at 1-866-755-6622. They will contact the appropriate organization to help the turtle.

Click here to donate to or find out more about Sea Turtle Recovery.