A juvenile female green sea turtle was recently found stranded on a beach in North Carolina, covered in barnacles, algae, and other marine epibiota weighing more than 1.5 pounds (0.6 kilograms). When discovered, her entire body was encrusted with these organisms, which significantly burdened her. After thorough cleaning and care by the coastal resource management team, her health is now improving, and she is gradually regaining vitality.
The young turtle was found on April 15 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Passersby immediately reported the stranding to the hotline, prompting a rapid response from the resource management team. She was transported to the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center at the North Carolina Aquarium in Roanoke Island for treatment.
Officials explained that the turtle was heavily covered with epibiota, including barnacles, algae, and other marine organisms. After experts carefully removed these, the turtle's weight dropped from an initial 7.5 pounds (about 3.4 kilograms) to just over 6 pounds (approximately 2.7 kilograms), confirming that the attached organisms weighed more than 1.5 pounds (0.5 kilograms).
The aquarium staff named the turtle "Confetti". Although she remains thin, Confetti has resumed eating and is steadily improving under ongoing care and feeding. Plans are in place for continued weight gain and further medical management.
Understanding Epibiota
Epibiota are organisms that live on the surface of other living beings, encompassing both animals and plants. While some epibiota, such as barnacles and algae, may be harmless, others can be detrimental. According to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, excessive epibiota on a turtle's shell can impede its swimming and migration abilities and may lead to infections.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the rehabilitation team, Confetti is now more active and on the road to recovery, highlighting the importance of timely intervention for stranded marine wildlife.
