Sea Turtle Euthanized After Someone Shot a Spear Through Its Head in Florida

Veterinarians were forced to euthanize a sea turtle after it was found shot in the head with a spear on the beaches of the Florida Keys.

Given the moniker “Aubie” in reference to Auburn University, the loggerhead sea turtle was discovered Thursday by a resort guest, according to the Miami Herald.

The Turtle Hospital rehabilitation facility in Marathon, Florida, received the maimed reptile. Hospital staff allege Aubie — whose species is considered threatened and protected under the Endangered Species Act —  was intentionally injured.

“This does not appear to be an accident as the turtle has an injury in the same location as a previous case of a loggerhead turtle speared in the head,” Turtle Hospital manager Bette Zirkelbach told the Herald. "This has the signs of malicious intent.” 

Dr. Terry Norton performed emergency surgery to remove the spear from Aubie’s skull, but his health continued to deteriorate due to the severity of his injury. Days later, doctors were forced to euthanize him.

“Aubie was humanely euthanized,” Zirkelbach said of the 170-pound turtle, estimated to be between the ages of 35 and 40, the outlet reported.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating Aubie’s death, which is considered a third-degree felony under state law and punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, per the Herald.