Threatened turtle found on Washington beach thousands of miles from home dies

SEASIDE, Ore. (AP) —A sea turtle that washed ashore on the Long Beach Peninsula died as caretakers tried to transport it to the Seattle Aquarium.

The female olive ridley sea turtle was found Friday and stabilized at the Seaside Aquarium in Oregon. Staff used blankets to keep the turtle warm, and tried to transport it to the Seattle Aquarium.

Unfortunately, it died in transport.

"Sadly, the turtle was DOA at the Seattle Aquarium," Tim Kuniholm of the aquarium said. "We are awaiting details from the necropsy."

This is the second rare turtle to be found washed ashore in Long Beach recently. The first turtle, Solstice, was found Dec. 21 on the coast of southwest Washington and is recovering at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Olive ridley turtles are typically found in tropical waters from Peru to California. Some officials believe currents and winds are carrying turtles into the cold Northwest waters.

If you happen to see a sea turtle on the beach, it’s probably not supposed to be there. You should call local authorities and try not to move it.