The Audubon Nature Institute has come to the aid of a massive loggerhead sea turtle found in distress off the Louisiana coast.
In July, the turtle was spotted floating upside-down at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Grand Chenier. The people who found the turtle notified the Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network for help, and they and Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries came to the rescue.
Audubon's team brought the severely dehydrated and underweight turtle to the institute's Westbank wildlife rehab facility. Now named Francois, the turtle is enjoying a diet of shrimp, squid, and smelt, as they work to get the reptile's body weight from 200 pounds up to a more reasonable 350.
Audubon Nature Institute
If you see stranded or out-of-habitat marine mammals and sea turtles (live or dead), the Audubon Nature Institute asks that you call Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network at 877-942-5343.
You can also click here to donate to the Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network to help endangered animals like Francois and others.
