Mississippi Aquarium treating endangered loggerhead sea turtle, found caught in fishing line last week

An endangered loggerhead sea turtle is receiving treatment from the Mississippi Aquarium after it was caught on a fishing line last week.

The turtle was caught on the Gulf State Park fishing pier in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

When captured, the turtle had multiple hooks and other fishing gear stuck in her flippers, shell, and mouth, a severely fractured shell, and visible barnacles attached all over her body.

Due to her size, Mississippi Aquarium is the only facility in the area capable of taking care of the turtle.

Mississippi Aquarium Vice President of Veterinary Services Dr. Alexa Delaune said, “Took a blood sample and started treatment. We noted that she was very, very anemic and has low protein. So, we started treating that. We also gave her some antibiotics to treat for any infection. Then we need to give her some TLC. So, we slowly introduced her to water. We’re adding some food and she’s eating really well. We took X-rays and found out that she has more hooks inside her gastrointestinal tract.”

The age of the turtle is unknown other than that she is an adult and her name is yet to be determined.

If you’d like more information on the endangered sea turtle and her treatment plan visit the Mississippi Aquarium website.