Cold-stunned Florida sea turtles recovering in Tampa Bay
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium care for a rescued cold-stunned sea turtle. Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The recent cold snap didn't just challenge human Floridians.
Why it matters: Wildlife officials, rescue groups and good Samaritans have rescued hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles from Florida waterways, and dozens are recovering in Tampa Bay.
State of play: In the last week and a half, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has admitted 36 turtles that were rescued from local waterways and the Panhandle, chief veterinarian Dr. Shelly Marquardt told Axios.
- With water temperatures already rebounding, aquarium staff released 15 back to the wild Tuesday morning at Honeymoon Island State Park.
- Sarasota's Mote Marine Aquarium has taken in 25 sea turtles from Florida's East Coast for specialized care at the aquarium's Sea Turtle and Manatee Rehabilitation Hospital.
- And the Florida Aquarium's Apollo Beach rehab facility admitted its first two turtles of the season on Super Bowl Sunday, per an aquarium news release.
- The juvenile sea turtles, now known as Patriot and Seahawk, were transferred to the facility from Northwest Florida.
How it works: Turtles can't regulate their body temperature, so exposure to cold water can be deadly.
- Similar to hypothermia, cold-stunned turtles become lethargic and unable to swim to warmer waters.
- While many turtles just need time for their bodies and the water temperature to warm back up, some, like Patriot and Seahawk, need more advanced treatment.
Zoom in: Among Clearwater Marine Aquarium's remaining residents is a juvenile that a city police department employee found washed up on the beach in Treasure Island.
- "I thought for sure... it had met its demise, but as I pulled up, it raised its little head," community service specialist Kevin Jennings told Fox 13.
- The turtle, who employees named Gaia, is doing well but needs a few more tests before it can be released, Marquardt said.
If you spot a turtle that may be cold-stunned, Marquardt recommended calling:
- the aquarium's rescue hotline at 727-441-1790 ext. 1 or
- the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's hotline at 1-888-404-3922.