Leatherback turtle dies
lifesaving attempts by animal experts.
Five days of round-the-clock care could not save the 500-pound Leatherback, netted near Somerset Bridge last Tuesday.
Aquarium curators said the huge sea-reptile -- part of an endangered species -- died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He was already missing one of his front flippers after an accident in the deep.
Aquarium staff also said the turtle was "lethargic'' and would have been killed if released back into the ocean before getting better.
Curators, led by Jennifer Gray, carried out an autopsy last night to determine the official cause of death.
But Jack Ward, part of the care team, said: "I think, unfortunately, the turtle was just on its last legs.
"Everything we did was just not enough and Jennifer, in particular, worked very hard. The turtle simply never perked up. He was extremely lethargic from when he came in.
"The autopsy might help us find out the cause of death.
"But the reality is we are pretty sure he was suffering extremely from having lost a flipper.
"That probably compromised his ability to survive and then he got beaten up quite badly from the storm which washed him in.'' The care team had been warned by specialists at New England Aquarium in Boston that the Leatherback could harm himself even more if he grew stronger inside his tank -- and began banging against the sides.
Marine and Ports officials even offered the use of their bouy boat Dragon , fitted with cranes, to transport the turtle back to the ocean.
Mr. Ward added: "It's very sad but we did our best to help him and maybe now he can help us learn more about the species.'' ANIMALS ALS