A juvenile green sea turtle recently brought to Coastal Connections, Inc. (CCI) in Vero Beach, Florida, presented a startling appearance: its shell was almost entirely obscured by a thick coating of red algae. While initially suspected to be a case of cold stunning, the situation proved to be far more complex, ultimately revealing a tragic outcome stemming from a boat strike.
The turtle, affectionately named Bob Moss by the CCI team, was discovered floating in the Indian River Lagoon by a concerned citizen. Upon arrival at CCI headquarters, rescuers noted the unusual “fur-like” covering. According to a CCI Instagram comment, the reddish growth was identified as an accumulation of red algae. This isn’t an uncommon sight, but the sheer volume of algae covering Bob Moss was a significant indicator of the length of time he’d been struggling.
“Algae and barnacles can ‘hitch a ride,’ so to say, when a turtle is moving slow enough through the water, and usually near the surface, due to illness or injury,” CCI explained in a social media post. “You can tell it’s been floating for a while based on the accumulation on his or her head and carapace.” The presence of these marine organisms suggests the turtle was weakened and unable to actively swim, remaining near the surface for an extended period.
Initially, the team suspected “cold stunning,” a condition where sea turtles become incapacitated by prolonged exposure to cold water. CCI noted that, similar to iguanas, turtles become cold and sluggish, but unlike iguanas, they can’t simply fall out of trees – they become stranded in the water. However, further examination revealed a more serious underlying cause.
The true extent of Bob Moss’s injuries wasn’t apparent until he was transferred to a sea turtle healing center. It was there that the team discovered evidence of a previous boat strike. This revelation underscored a grim reality: boat strikes are a leading cause of injury and death for sea turtles.
The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) estimates that approximately 3,000 sea turtles die each year as a result of collisions with boats. Despite the best efforts of the CCI team, Bob Moss succumbed to his injuries, becoming another statistic in this ongoing crisis.
The case of Bob Moss, while tragic, has served as a powerful reminder of the threats facing sea turtles. CCI reports that over half of the turtles they rescue are victims of boat strikes, but Bob Moss’s story has garnered significant attention online, raising awareness about the issue. The accumulation of algae on his shell provided a visually striking illustration of the prolonged suffering these animals can endure.
The vulnerability of sea turtles to boat strikes stems from their need to surface for air and during mating season. As the STC notes, turtles are particularly susceptible to collisions when boats are traveling at high speeds, leaving them little time to react and dive to safety.
While Bob Moss’s life couldn’t be saved, his story highlights the critical work being done by organizations like CCI to rehabilitate injured sea turtles. The organization provides care for turtles impacted by a variety of threats, including boat strikes, cold stunning, and entanglement in marine debris.
For those interested in supporting CCI’s efforts, donations can be made through their website. The ongoing work of rescue organizations is vital to mitigating the impact of human activities on these vulnerable marine creatures and providing a second chance at life for those who, like Bob Moss, have suffered from preventable injuries.
