Critically Endangered Texas Sea Turtle Rescued from Shore

The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is fighting for survival at the Houston Zoo after being found lethargic and covered in barnacles.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 6:50pm

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A critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle was rescued from a Galveston, Texas beach on March 7, 2026 and is now receiving treatment at the Houston Zoo. The adult female turtle was found lethargic and covered in barnacles, algae, and sediment, indicating it had been struggling for some time before washing ashore. Meanwhile, 27 other Kemp's ridley turtles were recently released back into the Gulf of Mexico after months of rehabilitation in Mississippi.

Why it matters

The Kemp's ridley is the official state sea turtle of Texas and its nesting grounds on Padre Island are critical to the species' survival. This rescue highlights the ongoing threats these endangered turtles face, as well as the importance of quick action by researchers and the public to help stranded sea turtles.

The details

The turtle was found near Beach Pocket Park #3 in Galveston after the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research received a call through the Texas statewide sea turtle hotline. Rescuers described the turtle as "lethargic and covered in barnacles, algae and sediment", a sign it had been struggling for some time. The extra weight and buildup on the turtle's shell caused it to slow down its swimming, leading to more organisms attaching to it in a "positive feedback loop". The turtle was rushed to the Houston Zoo for evaluation and is currently in critical condition, receiving the "best care" as veterinarians work to rehabilitate it with the goal of eventually releasing it back into the Gulf of Mexico.

  • The turtle was found on March 7, 2026 near Galveston, Texas.
  • 27 other Kemp's ridley turtles were recently released back into the Gulf of Mexico on March 11, 2026 after months of rehabilitation in Mississippi.

The players

Kemp's ridley sea turtle

The world's smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle species, which is the official state sea turtle of Texas.

Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR)

The organization that received the call about the stranded turtle and coordinated the rescue effort.

Houston Zoo

The facility currently caring for the rescued Kemp's ridley turtle and providing veterinary treatment.

Audubon Institute

The organization that rehabilitated 27 other Kemp's ridley turtles that were recently released back into the Gulf of Mexico.

Christopher Marshall

The director of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research who explained the dangers of the turtle's condition.

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What they’re saying

“Healthy sea turtles are swimming sea turtles. Sea turtles that slow down their swimming due to health issues are quickly colonized by organisms in the water. This can turn into a positive feedback loop in that the extra weight causes the turtle to slow down further and expend further energy, which allows more epibionts to grow.”

— Christopher Marshall, Director, Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research

“A lot of them had shell lesions, frostbite lesions from that cold. So, once those start to heal up as well. A lot of them come in with eye problems, eye ulcers from the sand and the wind.”

— Gabriella Harlamert, Audubon Aquarium Rescue

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This rescue effort highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Texas' official state sea turtle. It underscores the importance of public awareness, reporting stranded turtles, and coordinated conservation efforts to protect this critical species and its nesting grounds along the Texas coast.