Between April 1 and Aug. 19, 282 loggerhead sea turtles have stranded in Texas, mostly in the Coastal Bend, between Calhoun and Kleberg counties.
With a record number of threatened loggerhead sea turtle strandings occurring on the Texas coast this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local partners are urging citizens to report any turtles seen on the beaches or shorelines so that they can be rescued, transported, and cared for by Service-permitted rehabilitation facilities, like the Texas State Aquarium.
What can you do to help these strandings?
If a sea turtle is seen on a beach or shoreline in Texas, it is either sick or injured or could be nesting this time of year, and the Service advises citizens to quickly report the sighting by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).
Callers should be prepared to describe where the turtle is located, whether it appears to be dead or alive, and the size of the animal (estimated weight or length of shell – to know if it will require two or more persons to respond).
If possible, callers should stay near the animal to help orient officials and protect the turtle from vehicles or scavengers.
Donate to our Wildlife Rescue Fund to directly help treat and rehabilitate these animals.
Report sea turtle sightings by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).
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