A 450-pound sea turtle found struggling seven miles south of Sugarloaf Key is now on the mend, thanks to a team from Coast Guard Station Key West and staff from The Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, after The Turtle Hospital reported the animal in trouble, Coast Guard crews went out, tracked down the massive reptile, and brought it safely ashore. Once back on land, veterinarians from The Turtle Hospital took over, moving quickly to begin treatment and rehabilitation.
No one has shared details yet about why the turtle was in distress or its current condition, but the rescue reflects the ongoing efforts to protect endangered and threatened wildlife in the Keys.
The Coast Guard summed it up well in a post afterward: they have a responsibility to help safeguard the living marine resources in the area. Rescue partnerships like this one show just how important that work is.
As specialists in sea turtles, The Turtle Hospital’s team will now focus on nursing the animal back to health, hoping for another successful rehab and eventual release into local waters. Their expertise, matched with quick action from the Coast Guard, gives this turtle a real shot at returning home.
