A Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found dead, entrapped in this barstool, on a Northwest Florida beach this week.

(South Walton Turtle Watch)

At a Glance

Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the world's smallest, rarest and most endangered species of sea turtles.An estimated 200 nesting females remain, most of them found in Texas.

A Kemp's ridley sea turtle, the world's smallest, rarest and most endangered species of sea turtle, was found dead this week on a Northwest Florida beach. The turtle apparentlyhad become trapped in a discarded barstool.

According toSharon Maxwell, head of the South Walton Turtle Watch, beachgoers came across the barstool-entrappedoffDune Allen Beach in Walton County. A passersby brought the turtle to shore and called the watch group, the Northwest Daily News reports.

Maxwell and another volunteer logged the turtle's death and notified statewildlife officials. On Tuesday, the Walton County Tourist Development Council retrieved the turtle and buried it.

Maxwell said she believes the metal barstool may have fallen off a boat or somehow made its way in the ocean from a resort or restaurant.

Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the smallest and in the world, according to theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They can grow to 2 feet and weigh up to 100 pounds. It is estimated that only 200 nesting females remain, most of them in Texas.

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The greatest threatto Kemp's ridley sea turtles is the accidental capture in shrimp and fishing nets, while all species of sea turtles are threatened by overdevelopment and pollution, thewildlife commission says.

"Increased development will bring an increase in lighting in the area, which is detrimental to sea turtles as hatchlings will migrate towards the light instead of the ocean," the commission notes. "The potential for eggs and hatchlings being crushed or disturbed is increased with the increase of human presence along beaches."

The South Walton Turtle Watch group posted on its Facebook page that a at a nearby beach Tuesday but turned away without nesting when people on the beach turned theirflashlights onthe turtle.

"Over and over again it has been said do not shine lights on a sea turtle," the watch group said. "So sad and humans are supposed to be the intelligent ones."