EnglishRare giant sea turtle found on Stinson Beach
An endangered giant sea turtle rarely found north of Mexico washed up alive on Stinson Beach after drifting possibly thousands of miles.
“Este es sin duda un hallazgo raro, uno de los tres tortugas golfinas en vivo que conozco reportado en la literatura científica desde 2001 a lo largo de la costa central de California,” dijo Todd Steiner, a biologist and executive director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, based in Marin County.
Steiner said the turtle was suffering from what is known as cold-stunning, a unique state of suspended animation that can allow a turtle to survive for months in cold water. The big green reptile was covered with algae, acial, shore crabs and ghost shrimp, indicating that it had been floating for a long time. Subsequent blood tests revealed it was malnourished.
We often see Olive RIdley sea turtles nesting on the beach at the La Flor Wildlife Refuge, but shifting currents and climate sometimes get sea turtles a little off track.