An endangered female hawksbill sea turtle that was airlifted from St. Croix to be treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon died Tuesday morning, officials said.
Good Hope, named after the beach where she was discovered, had been scheduled to undergo surgery to repair lower eyelids Tuesday morning but was discovered deceased by hospital staff.
Hospital officials said they were surprised the turtle died as she had been responding to treatment, with blood tests improving as she continued to produce eggs.
Rescued Hawksbill Turtle Produces More Eggs
The hospital veterinarian has begun harvesting remaining eggs and staff will incubate the ones deemed viable along with 61 others nestled in beach sand shipped from St. Croix.
After the remaining eggs are harvested, a necropsy will be performed.
Good Hope was found on Aug. 24 with severe injuries after Tropical Storm Isaac brushed the Virgin Islands. She was flown to the Turtle Hospital a month ago.
