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A stranded sea turtle was rescued after swimming getting lost 50 miles inland - in a river.

The bungling creature swam off course in the gulf of Thailand and into the Bang Patong River in Chachoengsao province.

Spending too long in freshwater can kill the marine creatures.

But vets were called to capture the 20-year-old female green turtle -nicknamed after locals noticed it floating in the river earlier this month.

Dr Nantarika Chansue, head of the Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Centre at Chulalongkorn University, said the turtle had now been returned to the ocean.

She said: ''“For a green turtle, the most suitable salinity of water is higher than 20 grams per litre and not less than 15 grams per litre.

''But the salinity at the spot where people found this turtle was only 3 grams per litre. Being in freshwater for a long time can harm the kidney of the turtle.

''Luckily, this turtle is healthy and can be released back into the sea without any special treatment. I have to thank the people who helped save this turtle and did not cause it any harm.’'
ENDS