The body of a leatherback turtle, a federally protected endangered species, washed ashore at South Beach on Sunday. Volunteer members of the turtle stranding committee said the cause of death was not immediately apparent.
“There was no sign of an injury,” said Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary director Suzan Bellincampi. Ms. Bellincampi said the turtle was in a state of decomposition and had likely been floating for awhile before washing ashore.
The body of a leatherback turtle, a federally protected endangered species, washed ashore at South Beach on Monday. Volunteer members of the turtle stranding committee said the cause of death was not immediately apparent.
“There was no sign of an injury,” said Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary director Suzan Bellincampi. Ms. Bellincampi said the turtle was in a state of decomposition and had likely been floating for awhile before washing ashore.
A leatherback turtle was found dead on the shore around Seven Gates in Chilmark, according to Gazette reader Tom Guiney. He estimated it was about six-and-a-half feet long and about 700 pounds. The cause of death was not apparent, he said in an e-mail.
Islanders who discover any stranded marine animals are urged to call the New England Aquarium’s 24-hour hotline, 617-973-5247.
A leatherback sea turtle found dead last month, floating between Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard, was taken to the aquarium’s Animal Care Center in Quincy for a post-mortem examination.
A 1,500 pound, eight-foot long male leatherback turtle that had become entangled in fishing gear was rescued in Nantucket Sound on Friday by a group that included the Oak Bluffs harbor master and shellfish constable.
“I couldn’t believe the size of that thing. That is a first for me,” said harbor master Todd Alexander.
