NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Aquarium crews are responding to a sea turtle that came ashore Monday in Ocean View.
Natalie Sims, a spokeswoman for the aquarium couldn’t confirmed if it was sick or hurt, but was waiting on more details. The turtle came ashore at 25th Bay Street.
A video of the turtle before crews arrived showed it sitting in the waves and moving its head.
After monitoring the turtle, officials from the Virginia Aquarium say it returned to the water.
Although there were no outward evidence of injury, they say the turtle’s behavior and “inability to move in deep water” suggests it might be having complications.
The Virginia Aquarium says it could not bring the turtle to its Stranding Response facility due to its size and natural behavious.
“Leatherback sea turtles are open ocean, deep diving turtles and tend to fare poorly in a rehab setting,” says Sims.
The Virginia Aquarium says it will continue to monitor the animal as needed.