The Virginia Aquarium has recorded the highest number of turtles being hooked in a single year since 2018. This trend threatens the critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
"Seeing a marine mammal or sea turtle can feel surreal and exciting, and the urge to help an animal in distress can be overwhelming, but we encourage the public to safely and respectfully give the wild animal space if found stranded on shore or injured in the water."
As the weather gets warmer and more people head to the beach, the Virginia Aquarium wants to make sure you know what to do if you see a stranded marine animal on our shores.
The man's identity or place of residence was not disclosed. He remains in serious condition at VCU Medical Center, hospital officials said, according to WTVR News.