After strong storms surged parts of Texas last month, about 100 endangered young sea turtles were left stranded along the part of the Gulf coast, according to experts.
Jesse Gilbert, the chief operating officer from the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, announced juvenile green sea turtles “just couldn’t beat the waves” and were having a hard time being tossed around the shores. He added that the poor animals were caught in water and have been pushed up against the Padre Island National Seashore dunes.
“They literally just looked exhausted. They were a little bit dehydrated,” Gilbert added.
More than 100 green sea turtles have now been rescued in two weeks and 80 of them were released into the Gulf of Mexico after a week of resting.
The National Weather Service and other local weather reports have been issuing numerous coastal flooding advisories.
Locals, tourists, and other visitors are advised to contact wildlife officials if they spot any other stranded turtles along the coast. It is also important not to pick the animals, as Gilbert noted that the turtles are protected species.
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