The winter is hard for a lot of us — even animals. That’s why recently various aquariums in the Tampa Bay area, including the Florida Aquarium and Clearwater Marine Aquarium, received some cold-stunned sea turtles rescued from shorelines in New England. Over 500 turtles have washed ashore on Cape Cod beaches so far this season.
No fun cold-stun
Cold-stunning occurs when cold-blooded animals, such as sea turtles, become exposed to unusually cold water or air temperatures for an extended period of time. This can cause a hypothermic reaction that may include a lower heart rate, decreased circulation, lethargy, and even secondary infections, including pneumonia.
Flown in from New England Aquarium and National Marine Life Center, both located in Massachusetts, as part of a larger effort by NOAA Fisheries, these are just a fraction of the 100 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles transported to rehabilitation centers across the country during this effort. The non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too flew the turtles into St. Pete/Clearwater airport before heading on to Mississippi.
The Kemp’s ridley turtles were saved by the New England Aquarium and the National Marine Life Center. Both organizations are located in Massachusetts. The organization Turtles Fly Too flew 10 of the affected turtles to the Florida Aquarium to receive treatment
Rehab from cold
When the turtles arrived in sunny Florida, the Aquarium’s team of animal care professionals quickly assessed the condition of each turtle.
“They are quiet but they are responsive,” said Ashley Riese, the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Manager. “Each turtle will receive a complete examination including bloodwork and we will also conduct swim tests.”
Related: Florida Aquarium Expansion to Include Sea Lions and Penguins
The veterinary team is creating a treatment plan so they can be released later in the year.
As the number of cold-stunned sea turtles rises each year, it is essential for organizations to work together to rehabilitate and spread awareness of the critical endangerment of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and other species like them.
Taking a trip to Tampa Bay. Courtesy New England Aquarium. 
Taking a trip to Tampa Bay. Courtesy New England Aquarium. 
Getting ready for flight! Courtesy New England Aquarium. 
Getting ready for flight! Courtesy New England Aquarium. 
Courtesy National Marine Life Center. 
Testing the sea turtle’s glucose level. Courtesy National Marine Life Center. 
Courtesy National Marine Life Center.
By aquariums in other states assuming the care of these turtles, it frees up room in the New England aquariums for the injured turtles that are unfortunately stranding daily in Massachusetts.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest sea turtle in the world and they have a unique connection to Florida. The species is actually named after Richard M. Kemp, a fisherman from Key West, Florida, who first submitted the species for identification in 1906.
