JEKYLL ISLAND — Authorities at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center say they've decided to euthanize Griffin, a sea turtle they say has touched the hearts of employees and visitors during the more than three years he has lived there.

WTOC-TV reported that Griffin has been unable to dive and eat on his own, and testing found that he suffered from a condition similar to a human stroke.

Officials at the center say they've contacted six other institutions, but none were able to take Griffin.

They also said they don't believe Griffin will ever be suitable to use as a captive turtle in an exhibit, and that he will never be able to be released back into the wild.

The turtle, a loggerhead, was taken to Georgia after he became stranded off Daytona Beach, Fla., in 2007.