SUGARLOAF KEY, Fla. (CBS12) — A 450-pound sea turtle is recovering after being rescued off the Lower Florida Keys with help from the U.S. Coast Guard and wildlife conservation workers.
A Coast Guard Station Key West boat crew partnered with The Turtle Hospital in Marathon to rescue a distressed sea turtle Sunday about 7 miles south of Sugarloaf Key, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
After receiving a report from The Turtle Hospital, Coast Guard crews responded and located the turtle, which weighed approximately 450 pounds. The crew safely transported the animal to shore, where Turtle Hospital personnel took over care for evaluation and rehabilitation.
Officials did not release information about the turtle’s condition or what caused its distress.
JULY 19, 2026 – After receiving a report from The Turtle Hospital, Coast Guard crews responded and located the turtle, which weighed approximately 450 pounds. The crew safely transported the animal to shore, where Turtle Hospital personnel took over care for evaluation and rehabilitation. (U.S. Coast Guard Southeast)
The rescue highlights the Coast Guard’s role in protecting living marine resources throughout the Florida Keys, a region known for its diverse marine ecosystems and protected wildlife.
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“The Florida Keys are under Coast Guard maritime stewardship through our protection of living marine resources,” the Coast Guard said in a social media post.
With cohesive partnerships, we protect these delicate ecosystems and marine life to ensure they remain resilient, biodiverse, and secure for our future.”
The Turtle Hospital, based in Marathon, specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured sea turtles found throughout the Florida Keys and surrounding waters.
The rescue effort underscores the continued partnership between federal agencies and conservation organizations working to protect endangered and threatened marine species in South Florida.