An emaciated loggerhead sea turtle is recuperating at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center after washing up on the south end of Tybee Island.

The Tybee Department of Public Works spotted the 50-pound animal Thursday morning. Three lifeguards swam out to the sandbar where the animal was seen with a rescue board and brought the turtle to shore.

Mark Dodd is a senior biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He says the turtle's concave bottom shell and atrophied muscles are indicators of poor nutrition.

The turtle had no obvious injuries but a veterinarian says it may have a blockage in its gut from something it ate. The sea turtle center gave the animal antibiotics and fluids and cleaned its shell.

Tags: Jekyll Island, Tybee Island, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtles