A critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle was rescued in Texas after washing ashore covered in barnacles, algae, and other organisms. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and Houston Zoo veterinarians, she’s receiving life-saving care with hopes for eventual release back into the Gulf. 🌊🐢
Rare Kemp's ridley sea turtle rescued in Texas, covered in barnacles and algae, now receiving urgent care.
A startling discovery stunned beachgoers near Galveston, Texas, on March 7, 2026, when a sea turtle washed ashore appearing almost “covered in green fur.”
Rescuers from the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) quickly identified the turtle as a critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle, one of the rarest species in the world.