Six endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles rescued from the cold waters off the Massachusetts coast started a journey to recovery Dec. 5 at The Florida Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach.
The National Marine Life Center and New England Aquarium in Massachusetts recently rescued and triaged 33 turtles suffering from dangerously low body temperatures. They were flown to centers across the country, including The Florida Aquarium, as well as ones in Georgia and Orlando.
Sea turtles in the Northeast are exposed around this time of year to prolonged cold water temperatures, leading to immobility and other life-threatening conditions. They are often found floating or stranded on the beach and may also be suffering from secondary medical issues, such as infections, injuries or malnutrition.
The rehabilitation of cold-stunned turtles typically requires two to four months of intensive care, though in some cases, it may extend to six months or even a year before the turtles are healthy enough to return to the wild.