A family strolling along the Gulf Coast of Texas thought they’d stumbled upon a strange lump of algae and barnacles washed ashore.
But when they got closer, their curiosity turned to heartbreak.
It wasn’t debris at all — it was a loggerhead sea turtle, barely clinging to life. Her face, shell, and flippers were smothered in heavy growth, making it nearly impossible for her to move or swim.
Realizing she needed help fast, the family called the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR). Within minutes, a rescue team was racing to the scene, ready to transport her to their rehabilitation hospital.
Sadly, GCSTR says turtles in this condition are not rare — but she could still be saved.
Sick or injured turtles tend to float near the surface and move less, allowing barnacles, algae, and other organisms — called epibiota — to build up on their bodies. In this turtle’s case, she was carrying an entire miniature ecosystem: algae, acorn barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, worms, crabs, skeleton shrimp, bryozoans, and more.
In this case, help was on the way.
Once in care, the team began the painstaking work of cleaning her. Barnacles had even embedded themselves in her soft tissue and mouth, weighing her down and making life miserable. But as each piece was removed, she gained a little more freedom — and relief.
“She was weighed down, with barnacles embedded in her soft tissues and mouth,” GCSTR wrote.
But now she's free of those life-threatening burdens.
Now, she’s a different turtle. She’s eating again, gaining weight, and swimming normally for the first time in who knows how long.
She’s not fully recovered yet, but her rescuers are optimistic. With continued care, they hope to return her to the ocean where she belongs.
For now, thanks to a watchful family and a dedicated team, her odds are looking much brighter.
To support the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research's lifesaving work, consider making a donation via their Amazon wish list.
