She was running out of hope.
Sea Turtle Found Covered in Barnacles Gets Second Chance at Life
While strolling along the Gulf Coast of Texas, a family made a heartbreaking discovery: what looked like a clump of algae and barnacles was actually a struggling loggerhead sea turtle, barely clinging to life.
Her shell, face, and flippers were caked in marine organisms like barnacles, worms, and algae — a sign she’d been ill and motionless in the water for some time. Thankfully, the family quickly called the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR), whose rescue team rushed to the scene.
This isn’t an unusual sight for GCSTR. “Sick sea turtles tend to float and move less, becoming encrusted with epibiota,” the group explained.
Over the following days, the rescue team carefully removed the harmful growth, freeing her from what had become a life-threatening burden. Barnacles had even embedded in her soft tissue and mouth.
Now, she’s swimming freely again, eating well, and gaining weight. Though she still needs time to fully recover, GCSTR says she’s making great progress — and with continued care, she could soon be released back into the wild.
It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes a simple walk on the beach can lead to saving a life.