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Many bits of plastic found in sea turtle being rehabilitated after shark bite injuries

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published July 25, 2025 at 7:12 AM EDT
A radiograph of "Lucky Duck," a juvenile green sea turtle in rehabilitation at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, shows ingested micro-plastics.
N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island
A radiograph of "Lucky Duck," a juvenile green sea turtle in rehabilitation at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, shows ingested micro-plastics.

Officials at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island said their newest sea turtle patient is capturing hearts across the Outer Banks.

In late June a small juvenile green sea turtle, nicknamed “Lucky Duck,” arrived at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center with visible injuries from an apparent shark bite.

During treatment of those injuries, aquarium veterinarians and sea turtle aquarists discovered Lucky Duck’s intestinal tract was flooded with ingested micro-plastics.

A display at the aquarium of the plastic debris ingested by Lucky Duck aims to raise public awareness of the impact single-use plastic can have on wildlife.
N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island
A display at the aquarium of the plastic debris ingested by Lucky Duck aims to raise public awareness of the impact single-use plastic can have on wildlife.

Since arriving at the aquarium, Lucky Duck has been on a steady diet of protein and lettuce—roughage—to help it pass the ingested plastic. Carers said Lucky Duck is healing nicely.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston