Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/loggerhead-turtle-rescue/

A loggerhead sea turtle was sadly hit by a boat and in need of dire help.

Due to her injuries, she can no longer safely live in the wild, so volunteers took her to a facility where she will receive top-notch care and spend the rest of her days.

After being hit by the boat, the turtle ended up with shell fractures and what’s known as “Bubble Butt Syndrome.” According to The Turtle Hospital, this is caused by air pockets under the shell, which leaves the turtle permanently floating on the surface, unable to dive for food.

She was rehabilitated at The Turtle Hospital in the Florida Keys, and then flown by private plane to a conservation facility named Sea Turtle Inc. on South Padre Island, Texas, which will be her new permanent home.

They named her Matthew after one of her rescuers, before they learned she was a female.

Since Matthew weighs a whopping 230 pounds, it took more than six people to hoist her onto the plane.

The flight was courtesy of Turtles Fly Too, a nonprofit organization that donates their aircraft, fuel, and time to provide emergency transport for endangered species.

At her new home, she will join other rehabilitated non-releasable turtles, and will act as an ambassador of her species. The organization’s conservation outreach program aims to raise public awareness about sea turtles and the threats to their survival.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog