NWF Staffers Spot Turtle Struggling in Oil Slick

The National Wildlife Federation took another boat trip today, gauging the impacts of the oil spill on Gulf Coast wildlife. This time, NWF’s Larry Schweiger and Karla Raettig spotted a turtle struggling in the oil slick:

We alerted local wildlife officials to the turtle’s location and distress. Unless you’re properly trained and equipped, you shouldn’t handle wildlife–for their safety and ours. Call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401 if you see any wildlife in distress along the Gulf Coast.

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: NWF scientists worked overnight to identify the turtle. They now believe it’s a threatened loggerhead turtle.

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For all the latest news on how the oil spill is impacting the Gulf Coast’s wildlife and to learn how you can help, visit www.nwf.org/oilspill.