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Upside-down sea turtle still alive after being found by Florida beachgoers, science center says

FWC advises against touching sea turtles

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A stranded juvenile green sea turtle is on the mend after being found upside down Wednesday morning in Daytona Beach, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center.

Video sent in to News 6 by Kristi Williams and Nina Delaney shows the turtle upside down, then right-side up after they turned it back over. Another clip shows Volusia County Beach Safety picking up the limp turtle and taking it away for medical treatment at the science center’s sea turtle hospital.

Alyssa Hancock, assistant manager of turtle rehabilitation at the science center, told News 6 that the sea turtle was still alive at the time of this report, albeit in critical condition. Hancock described the turtle as lethargic and very emaciated, likely having been sick for some time. The science center is reportedly doing the best it can to treat the tired and sickly turtle, currently giving it a guarded prognosis as it’s otherwise being provided fluids and antibiotics, Hancock said.

In the meantime, News 6 also contacted FWC for its input on the situation.

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According to FWC, summer is a busy time for both people and sea turtles on Florida beaches — if you ever see one, you’re advised to stay out of its way and to never put your hands on or near it.

Any distractions may frighten or disorient them, causing a female to return to the ocean before finishing her nest, or misdirecting a hatchling away from the water.

Light can also cause a major disruption in the natural behavior of the turtles. Don’t use any flashlights, flash photography, or video equipment. This can cause a female to false crawl or lead a hatchling away from the water.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | "What to do if You See a Sea Turtle" (excerpt)

If you come across a stranded or dead sea turtle, someone disturbing a sea turtle or its nest, or a hatchling wandering in a road, a parking lot or any other direction than toward water, FWC says you should call its Division of Law Enforcement at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or *FWC (*392).

Learn more on the FWC’s website by clicking here.


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