Dead turtles have recently washed ashore along the Gulf Coast, and members of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies are working find out why.
WLOX TV reports officials are trying to determine if the turtle deaths are linked to the BP oil spill in the Gulf that happened in 2010.
Wendy Hatchett, IMMS veterinarian technician, says the spike in deaths has officials concerned. She says whether its red tide or deaths left over from the oil spill, they really don't have a clue until tissue can be analyzed.
So far this year, 48 dead Kemps Ridley turtles have washed ashore across the Gulf Coast; including one turtle recovered Sunday and three on Saturday.
Copyright The Associated Press
