Marine biologists are trying to figure out what caused the death of a giant sea turtle that washed ashore in Ocean Beach.
Lifeguards said a “fairly good sized” turtle was found around 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the foot of Santa Cruz Avenue in Sunset Cliffs.
Lifeguards monitored the location until NOAA biologists arrived.
It is not clear how long the turtle had been there.
"The National Marine Fisheries, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has an interest in the animal and is sending someone to pick it up,” said Sgt. Jon Vipond with San Diego Lifeguards.
Experts will take tissue samples, to help determine the turtle's cause of death.
