WATCH: This rare turtle being rescued from a narrow pipe in Texas

The 53-pound turtle was an alligator snapping turtle.

A trapped turtle was rescued thanks to Houston SPCA's Wildlife Centre of Texas after he was discovered by a member of the public wedged in a pipe.

The SPCA team found the rare alligator snapping turtle stuck in the pipe struggling to keep his head up to breathe as water rushed over his body.

Rosehill Fire Department assisted in the rescue operation and also provided equipment needed to open the pipe.

Although the team were unable to cut the pipe, they used the tools to widen the pipe enough to free the 53-pound turtle.

Although this turtle survived, sadly the crew found a number of dead alligator snapping turtles and other animals trapped in the pipe behind him.

Aligator snapping turtles are native to Houston, Texas and are one of the few protected freshwater turtles in the state.

Houston's SPCA's Wildlife Centre of Texas work with Texas Parks and Wildlife to release turtles to a suitable habitat.