Green Sea Turtles Rescued in Florida Due to Record Cold Temperatures

Cold Stunning Impacts Sea Turtles

• ❄️ A recent massive cold front in Florida caused water temperatures to plummet, leading to cold stunning in green sea turtles.
• 🐢 Cold stunning significantly slows down a turtle's metabolism, as they cannot regulate their own body temperature.
• ⚠️ If turtles remain in water that is too cold for extended periods, it can be fatal.

Rescue Efforts Underway

• 🚑 Law enforcement and park rangers in the Florida Keys have been actively rescuing distressed green sea turtles.
• 🏥 The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is a primary facility receiving these rescued animals, with crews dispatched to pick them up.
• 📈 Experts at the hospital anticipate more rescue calls as cold temperatures persist.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

• 💧 Rescued turtles, like Rosie, are being treated with fluids and kept in tanks to warm up and recover.
• 🔬 Blood chemistry analysis is used to assess the health of the animals during their recovery process.
• ✅ The goal is to nurse the turtles back to health until they are strong enough for release back into the wild.

Widespread Impact Across Florida

• 🌊 In total, 500 turtles have been rescued statewide due to the cold conditions.
• 📍 Rescues have occurred in various locations, including Clearwater, where 20 turtles are being cared for at a local aquarium.