Palm Beach Fire-Rescue, with the help of a Florida Wildlife officer, struggled yesterday to dislodge a large female turtle caught in the barrier rocks in front of the Palm Beach Country Club.
It was quickly clear that what looked at first to be a rescue effort was in fact a recovery mission.
The deceased turtle was likely thrust into the rocks by high surf as it was trying to lay eggs.
A ladder truck was used to hoist the turtle off the beach.
It will undergo a necropsy to confirm the cause of death.
Video of part of the recovery operation — No audio [20 sec.]
Photos and video by Tim Malloy
