Officials Ask Public To Keep Eye Out For Leatherback Turtle Near Cape Cod

BARNSTABLE (CBS) – Officials are asking people to keep an eye out around the shores of Barnstable after they rescued a 650-pound leatherback sea turtle that stranded in low tide on Wednesday.

Crews were able to treat the turtle and release it back into the ocean.

New England Aquarium staff said they think the turtle appeared to be healthy and that it should be okay, but they are asking boaters and beach walkers to let officials know if they see the five foot long, black, soft-shelled sea turtle around Cape Cod Bay.

Live strandings of leatherback turtles are very uncommon.