A turtle was found struggling to survive, heavily weighed down by thousands of barnacles. While barnacles can be harmless and even beneficial in small amounts, excessive growth can lead to serious health issues for turtles, like fatigue and infections. It’s important not to attempt to remove barnacles yourself, as this could harm the turtle and cause open wounds to get infected. If you see a turtle in distress due to barnacles, it’s best to notify a trained marine rescue team for help.