HARWICHPORT, Mass. (AP) — Experts with the New England Aquarium in Boston say they've released a 7-foot-long, 655-pound leatherback sea turtle back into waters off Cape Cod after treating it for dehydration, trauma and shock.
The turtle was found stranded near Truro near the tip of the cape Thursday. Experts say the male turtle was underweight and lethargic, and a large portion of its left front flipper was missing because of some kind of trauma.
Veterinarians treated it with several drugs to stabilize its blood values and oxygen levels.
Aquarium officials say the turtle regained its strength, and they released it off Harwichport on Saturday. They say its prognosis isn't clear.
Experts treated the turtle using information obtained from research on leatherbacks that were briefly captured over the past few summers off Cape Cod.