TRURO, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A huge loggerhead sea turtle is undergoing treatment after being rescued from a Cape Cod beach earlier this week.
The 350-pound male turtle became stranded on a beach in the town of Truro Friday afternoon, and was rescued by the Mass Audubon Society.
Volunteers pulled the turtle onto a sling attached to a Department of Public Works truck, and he was transported to the New England Aquarium Hospital in Quincy.
Director of the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Bob Prescott said the turtle is alive and breathing, but he is in critical condition.
"He came too far north for whatever reason, was enjoying a great summer in the Gulf of Maine," Prescott said. "And he wasn't able to get out on time."
Prescott said it's rare to see male turtles on land at all, let alone one that measures three feet wide and five feet long.
"It's a monster animal, it really is huge," he said. "We don't see adult turtles. Frankly, no one sees adult males, they spend their whole life at sea."
Officials said the turtle is responsive and making some progress, but it's still touch-and-go.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small reports:
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(Photo: Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary/Facebook)