Cold-shocked sea turtles get rehabilitated in Florida aquariums
Medical care for cold-shocked sea turtles at Florida rescue center (Photo: Getty images)
A record number of cold-stunned sea turtles have washed up along Florida’s shores due to frigid water temperatures, with rescue centers and aquariums working to rehabilitate and release them back into the ocean, reports USA TODAY.
Florida has seen a 65% spike in turtle strandings compared to the 10-year average, with 142 cases recorded in Brevard County alone by mid-March.
"This is an unusual spike for Brevard County but not for northeast Florida," said Allen Foley, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Scientists believe that climate fluctuations, rapid temperature drops, and human-related factors are contributing to the crisis.
Sea turtles, being cold-blooded, struggle to survive when water temperatures fall below 50 degrees, causing them to become lethargic and unable to swim.
"When cold fronts push off the US east coast, the water cools too," explained Brian McNoldy, a senior research scientist at the University of Miami.
Unable to move, many turtles wash ashore or become stranded at sea.
How are aquariums helping?
Rescue centers and marine hospitals across the US are working to rehabilitate and release the affected turtles. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has recently nursed back to health and released six Kemp’s ridley turtles rescued from Massachusetts and nine green sea turtles from Florida’s east coast.
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Rescued turtles awaiting treatment, marked for identification (Photo: Getty Images)
"These turtles typically have no significant injuries or indications of an infectious disease," Foley noted. However, prolonged exposure to cold water can weaken their circulation, immune system, and organ function, making rehabilitation critical. At rescue centers, turtles receive medical treatment, gradual warming, and careful monitoring before being released back into the ocean.
Despite ongoing efforts, experts warn that sea turtle strandings could continue to rise, making conservation and climate adaptation measures more important than ever.
Meanwhile, wildlife protection remains a growing concern - just recently, a Chinese citizen was sentenced to 30 months in prison for smuggling over 2,000 protected turtles from the US to Hong Kong, underscoring the ongoing threats to turtle populations worldwide.
