CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Amos Rehabilitation Keep rehabilitators said they had to euthanize a Leatherback Sea Turtle after they discovered it with large propeller wounds.
The turtle was discovered Wednesday after someone reported seeing a large injured turtle in the channel near Estes Flats between Aransas Pass and Rockport.
Rehabilitators were able to recover the turtle from the channel in shallow water and then loaded the turtle onto a boat.
Veterinarian Dr. Paula Baker, with the Amos Rehabilitation Keep, examined the turtle and found extensive damage to the skull, blindness in both eyes and an exposed salt gland due to the propeller injuries.
Unfortunately due to this turtle's major injuries and condition, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her.
A necropsy was performed with help from Padre Island National Seashore Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery.
ARK rehabilitators said they would like to thank all who reported and helped in the recovery of this turtle.
