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Turtle Rescued from Georgia Marsh
2 Jul
Summary
- A loggerhead sea turtle was found nearly a mile inland in a Georgia marsh.
- Wildlife officials and volunteers worked for three hours to keep the turtle cool.
- The rescued turtle weighed at least 250 pounds with a shell over 3 feet long.
A loggerhead sea turtle, affectionately nicknamed Wilbur, was found unexpectedly far inland, nearly a mile into a Georgia marsh. The unusual discovery was made by a volunteer who spotted the large reptile beside a trail. Responders from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and Georgia Department of Natural Resources collaborated to ensure Wilbur's safety.
For approximately three hours, rescuers worked to keep the turtle cool with water and wet towels, providing shade with an umbrella. Wilbur, an adult female weighing at least 250 pounds with a shell exceeding three feet, was eventually transported back to the ocean and released. Officials collected a single, stress-induced egg laid by the turtle for genetic research.
