New England Aquarium Experts Rescue Over 200 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles in Cape Cod Bay
Hundreds of young sea turtles have been found in critical condition due to hypothermia along the shores of Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts this month. Conservation experts have identified this as a “cold-stun event” triggered by a drop in temperature. This year, the situation is particularly severe as strong winds have pushed more turtles ashore in an effort to escape the frigid waters, resulting in life-threatening consequences, according to a report by Independent on December 3.
A Kemp’s ridley turtle being examined at the New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital. (Photo: Vanessa Kahn).
Sea turtles are cold-blooded animals and cannot regulate their body temperature. Cold-stun occurs when water temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. This condition can be life-threatening if turtles are exposed to the cold water for several days. They become weakened and lose their ability to maintain buoyancy. Sea turtles will float on the surface and become immobile to conserve energy.
“We often encounter pneumonia in these turtles. They are very lightweight and dehydrated. Some have broken bones from collisions with boats or when washed ashore,” said Adam Kennedy, the rescue and rehabilitation director at the New England Aquarium. “However, they have a rather rough appearance due to floating for several months before stranding. It’s astonishing that they are still alive and wash up on the beach.”
The cold-stun event occurs when many turtles are affected simultaneously in the same area, and Cape Cod Bay is a common stranding location. If they are not found, they will die due to complications associated with hypothermia and inability to feed. Nevertheless, the mortality rate of sea turtles has decreased since the first mass cold-stun event in 2001 due to improved rescue efforts.
Currently, the New England Aquarium is caring for over 200 turtles in its sea turtle hospital in Quincy, many of which are critically endangered Kemp’s ridley turtles. This species is the smallest and most endangered sea turtle. Rescue staff also encounter loggerhead and green turtles. When the aquarium finds a turtle, they perform X-rays and blood tests. Medical staff also check their heart rates. Turtles with heart rates below 10 beats per minute will be administered epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, to stimulate the heart. Turtles in poor condition receive specialized fluid therapy.
Sea turtles are gradually introduced to warm, saline water over a period of three days. More active individuals are transferred to the aquarium’s pool area. They are monitored to ensure proper recovery. Once they are healthy enough, they are sent to other care facilities. After a few weeks or months, they will be released back into the ocean.
There are many reasons why sea turtles strand along the Atlantic coastal region. Sea turtles travel thousands of kilometers each year, preferring temperatures in tropical waters ranging from 21.1 to 26.6 degrees Celsius. Hatchlings drift along the Gulf Stream, a strong ocean current that carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean. However, after experiencing a warm summer in Cape Cod Bay, they often become trapped during the colder months, especially with strong winds.
