Gulf World Marine Institute has received approximately 50 endangered sea turtles in the past two days. that have been stranding due to cold temperatures in shallow bay waters.
These marine reptiles are cold blooded; they cannot thermo regulate their body temperature, according to a Gulf World press release. As a result, the cold temperatures are placing these animals in a hypothermic state and they become very weak and can cause secondary illnesses. The body temperature of the animals coming into rehabilitation are between 40-50 degrees and some of the animal’s heart rates are as slow as one beat per minute.
Gulf World, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gulf Island National Seashore and University of Florida volunteers are finding and transporting the turtles to Gulf World for rehabilitation. All the animals that have been received so far in rehabilitation are in intensive care. Their body temperatures will be slowly warmed and any necessary medical treatments will be administered as needed. Rescue teams will continue to search until the water temperatures are warm.
