NEED TO KNOW
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A rescue center has revealed the treatment plan for a rare turtle that was found washed up on a beach in Texas
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A critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was found covered in organisms on a beach near Galveston on March 7
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The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) revealed in an update that the turtle is being treated for severe pneumonia and associated ocular ulcers
The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research is sharing details on its treatment plan for a rare turtle found washed up on a beach in Texas, who has garnered an online following after her rescue.
A critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was found covered in organisms on a beach near Galveston in Texas on March 7, PEOPLE previously reported.
Rescuers from the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) said in a post that the adult female “was lethargic and covered in epibionts, including barnacles, algae and sediment,” which left her looking as if she were coated in green fur.
On Saturday, March 14, the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research announced in an update that the turtle was receiving treatment for “severe pneumonia and associated ocular ulcers identified during her medical evaluation.”
“Ongoing supportive care and monitoring are essential to her rehabilitation,” the GCSTR added.
The turtle being attended to by rescue staff
Credit: Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research Facebook
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“With continued treatment and dedicated care, we remain hopeful that her condition will improve and that she can ultimately be released back into her natural habitat. Stay tuned for updates on her recovery,” the rescue center continued.
They went on to express their gratitude to people who “made purchases off of our Amazon wishlist” to help with the sea turtle’s recovery.
The turtle with rescue staff
Credit: Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research Facebook
“If you would like to continue supporting her care, please consider making a donation to our operational fund! We rely on nearly 100% donations to conduct our work,” the GCSTR added.
In pictures shared by the center, the turtle appeared in better condition with a smooth, clean shell, made possible by the center’s staff carefully removing the numerous organisms living on the turtle.
Staff also appeared to be giving the reptile food as she balanced inside a blue tub of water.
The Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were the smallest species of sea turtle in the world, according to NOAA Fisheries. The species, which is Texas’s official state turtle, is also usually found in the Gulf water around Texas.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are also among the world’s rarest sea turtle species, with an estimated 22,300 mature adults worldwide. They are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Read the original article on People