Staff with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve were called out this morning after a dead Kemp's Ridley sea turtle was found on St. George Island.
A cause of death has not yet been determined, but researchers believe the turtle was likely killed by the Red Tide bloom currently in the waters off Franklin County.
The 125 pound, female turtle was found on the east end of St. George Island before the state park in an area where a number of dead fish have washed up.
The carcass was found by people walking along the beach who reported it to ANERR.
There were no signs of injury on the turtle, leading researchers to believe red tide was the cause of death.
Of the seven species of sea turtles, The Kemp's Ridley is the most endangered.
While they are extremely rare everywhere else in the world, they are commonly found in our area in search of their favorite food, blue crabs.
Remember, red tide can also affect humans and pets with respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation.
Some individuals with breathing problems such as asthma might experience more severe symptoms.
The Health Department recommends that you Do not swim around dead fish.
If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from red tide affected beaches as red tide can affect your breathing.
Do not harvest or eat shellfish and distressed or dead fish and keep pets away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
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