East End residents got a call from the wild on Sunday.
Flopping up on East End Public Beach was a wounded 250-pound to 300-pound adult female green turtle, between 30 years old and 40 years old.
The turtle was in distress because of a chewed-off right fin, but she still managed to make it ashore.
It was assumed by rescuers and environmental officers at the scene that the fin was probably torn off by a tiger shark.
East End fisherman Ducan Rankine, who found the turtle, said he was at the beach when he saw two turtles trying to make their way to shore.
One, he said, was apparently in trouble as it was rolling on its side.
Mr. Rankine said he called friend Newman Connolly and two others to help him get the turtle on the beach.
After a lot of huffing and puffing, the group loaded the huge turtle into a pickup truck.
Mr. Duncan said Officer Phil Bush called the Department of Environment. DoE officers Joni Solomon, Janice Blumenthal and Ronnie Dougall responded.
After inspecting the turtle, Ms Solomon said, the officers determined it could helped.
By this time residents making their way to church and curious onlookers had gathered around the truck.
The turtle was taken to local veterinarian Brenda Bush at Island Veterinary Services. She contacted US turtle specialists who guided her through the procedure to repair the damage.
‘Dr. Bush amputated the rest of the fin because it had started to deteriorate.
‘After administering antibiotics, the fin was stitched, and the turtle transported to the salt water swim area at the Sunset House to recuperate.
‘There, with the assistance of Mr. Al Thompson, who provided the fencing, we were able to block the opening to the sea in the swim area to keep the turtle safe.
‘She was doing really well the last time we checked,’ said Ms Solomon.
‘One concern of residents in East End was if the turtle would survive in the wild with only one fin,’ she said.
Officers said they have seen turtles survive in the wild despite missing one fin.
‘If the citizens of East End had not called we probably would not have known about it at all. Sea turtles are endangered species; by them calling it enabled us to help this one.
‘We would like to encourage anyone on the island, if they see these turtle in danger to call 911,’ Officer Solomon said.
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