A nearly 300-pound female loggerhead turtle was rescued on Sunday in the Lower Florida Keys after being found in distress while swimming near the surface, reported Fox 35 Orlando.
The operation was carried out by U.S. Coast Guard personnel in coordination with the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, which immediately took over the care of the animal.
The crew of the Coast Guard Station in Key West located the turtle, named Timmy, about seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key, where it was swimming erratically.
After bringing her onto the vessel, the rescuers transported her to the shore for evaluation by hospital specialists.
Turtle Hospital reported that Timmy is one of the largest loggerhead turtles they have received since their founding four decades ago.
Experts estimate that he is between 70 and 80 years old.
Initially, the Coast Guard visually estimated that the animal weighed about 450 pounds, although a later assessment reduced the figure to just under 300 pounds. The hospital announced that it will weigh her again to obtain a definitive measurement.
Upon arriving at the rehabilitation center, Timmy received fluid therapy, antibiotics, and various tests to determine the causes of his condition.
The veterinarians also took blood and plasma samples, which were sent to a specialized laboratory to rule out infections and the presence of biotoxins.
Despite initial concerns, the animal's progress has been encouraging.
"We are cautiously optimistic that Timmy will make a full recovery and return to the sea," said Bette Zirkelbach, executive director of the Turtle Hospital.
According to the explanation provided, the turtle is already displaying more typical behavior for its species, has regained its appetite, and shows normal functioning of its digestive system, which are considered positive signs by the medical team.
As part of her rehabilitation, in the coming days she will undergo a swimming test in the hospital's 160,000-gallon pool to determine if she is fit to return to open water.
Founded in 1986, the Marathon Turtle Hospital has rehabilitated and returned more than 3,000 sea turtles to the ocean.
The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is the most common species of sea turtle in Florida and is listed as threatened under U.S. federal law.
The rescue of Timmy takes place during the sea turtle nesting season, which runs from May 1 to October 31, a period when authorities and conservation organizations intensify their efforts to monitor and protect these species in the Florida Keys.
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