A 450-pound sea turtle is recovering after rescuers pulled it from waters off the Lower Florida Keys.
A Coast Guard Station Key West boat crew worked with The Turtle Hospital in Marathon to rescue the distressed turtle on Sunday about 7 miles south of Sugarloaf Key, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
After receiving a report from The Turtle Hospital, Coast Guard crews responded and found the turtle, which weighed about 450 pounds.
The crew transported the animal to shore, where Turtle Hospital personnel took over for evaluation and rehabilitation.
Officials did not release information about the turtle’s condition or what caused its distress.
“The Florida Keys are under Coast Guard maritime stewardship through our protection of living marine resources,” the Coast Guard said in a social media post. “With cohesive partnerships, we protect these delicate ecosystems and marine life to ensure they remain resilient, biodiverse, and secure for our future.”
The Turtle Hospital, based in Marathon, specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured sea turtles found throughout the Florida Keys and surrounding waters.
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