Green sea turtle once near death will be returned to San Diego Bay

Bruce, the Pacific green sea turtle found close to death with gunshot wounds to his neck in January, is set to be returned to San Diego Bay on Tuesday.

Bruce -- a member of a species considered threatened -- was found by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials in the bay's southern reach near Chula Vista and rushed to Sea World San Diego. The creature was dehydrated, with a crack on his underside, and severely underweight.

At Sea World, he's been treated with antibiotics, pain medication and rehydration fluids. He's gained 50 pounds, to a robust 300, and is finally considered strong enough to return to his natural environment.

The jumbo-sizereptile has been outfitted with an acoustic transmitter to allow scientists to track his movements.

--Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Bruce, the Pacific green sea turtle. Credit: Sea World San Diego