Monster 53-pound snapping turtle rescued after getting stuck in a pipe

The turtle is currently being rehabilitated at Houston's SPCA Wildlife Center of Texas.
 By 
Brian Koerber
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

A massive 53-pound snapping turtle was rescued from a drainpipe in Texas after it became stuck.

A man was exploring a new development in Hockey, Texas, when he discovered the stuck turtle and phoned the Houston SPCA's Wildlife Center of Texas, ABC 13 reports.

The SPCA arrived on the scene and identified the turtle as a threatened alligator snapping turtle. They then called the Rosehill Fire department to help with the rescue because the pipe was too thick to open without heavy machinery.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The fire department arrived and used the jaws of life to spread the pipe so that the turtle could be removed. Unfortunately, after the turtle was removed several other alligator snapping turtles and other animals were found stuck in the pipe.

The massive turtle blocking the pipe was still alive and was taken to the Wildlife Center of Texas to receive medical attention.

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Brian Koerber

Brian was the Culture Editor and has been working at Mashable on the web culture desk since 2014.

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