A roughly four-pound green sea turtle was discovered by Madison resident Patrick Duffy in between the beach rocks off of 133 Twin Coves Road in Madison today (Aug. 17).

Originally mistaken for a lobster buoy, the endangered sea turtle was found with its neck and extremities bound in fishing line, covered in algae, and with a severely inflamed front and rear flipper (possibly from crab and other sea life nibbling), showing signs the turtle was trapped for a significant amount of time.

Duffy's wife, Terry, snipped off the fishing line with the turtle on its back to avoid further injury.

Mystic Aquarium was called at 3:15 p.m. and arrived one hour later.

Stranding assistant and Animal Rescue Team member Skip Graf assessed the situation, collected the fishing line found with the sea turtle, and returned with the turtle to Mystic Aquarium. Graf said he was concerned about the turtle's condition and said rehabilitation efforts would begin as soon as the turtle was brought to the aquarium.

Mature green sea turtles spend most of their time in shallow, coastal waters. A long-distance migrator, the green sea turtle can live to 80 years in the wild and can weigh up to 450 pounds.

The turtle was likely migrating south for the winter, an aquarium representative said. Graf said if Mystic can't mend the turtle's injuries, it will be sent to the New England Aquarium in Boston.