MARATHON, Fla. (AP) — Officials say a large green turtle has been found with a spear shot into its neck in the Florida Keys.
The 150-pound turtle was found Saturday off Key Largo.
WTSP news reports that veterinarians at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon performed emergency surgery to remove the spear. X-rays showed the spear spanned more than half of the turtle’s body.
Veterinarians at the hospital say the turtle, named Splinter, is in stable condition.
The spear has been saved as evidence for state wildlife investigators looking into the attack.
A turtle was previously found dead from a spear wound in Biscayne National Park in June.
Sea turtles are a protected species.
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