Endangered sea turtle that died may have been attacked by human, federal officials say
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Federal authorities say they are investigating the possibility that a person deliberately attacked an endangered loggerhead sea turtle that died after being found injured at a North Carolina national park.
The Costal Conservation Association said in a statement Friday that the turtle was found with a gaping hole in its head by a park ranger at the Cape Lookout National Seashore in late July. The group says North Carolina State University veterinarians treated the 70-pound turtle for three days, then it was euthanized July 29.
The statement says researchers determined after the turtle's death that a person caused the blunt force trauma to its head.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Allyson Rogers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirms that authorities are investigating the circumstances of the turtle's death.
The coastal association says a $7,500 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest of anyone connected with the attack.