An endangered sea turtle is currently fighting for its life after it got caught in a rope and was shot in its neck with a 3ft spear.

Splinter, the sub-adult green sea turtle, was found tangled in a trap-line on Caryfort Reef off Key Largo, Florida.

Splinter was rushed to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, where she went through emergency surgery.

The emergency surgery was done by Dr. Dough Mader, and it was performed to remove the 3ft spear that was shot in its neck.

X-rays showed the spear sticking deep into the stomach of Splinter.

The spokesperson of the Turtle Hospital told Mail Online that Splinter is a female turtle.

The spokesperson explained, “She is most likely a female. Splinter is a sub-adult green sea turtle. Male sea turtles grow a long tail when they reach adulthood.”

The spear is currently being kept as a piece of evidence.

Authorities are currently trying to find out the person who did the horrific act to the turtle.

Richie Moretti, the chairman of the board of the Turtle Hospital, has set a $5,000 USD award to anyone who could tell the authorities the person responsible for the crime.

The hospital also shared photos of the turtle after the surgery, with the spear removed from her body.

A day after the surgery, Splinter went for a swim in a small pool at the Turtle Hospital.