257 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Saved at New England Aquarium

At the Sea Turtle Hospital inside New England Aquarium, teams worked nonstop to save 257 cold-stunned turtles this season. During one hectic weekend, staff scrambled to treat 100 turtles. The Quincy facility jumped into action when 60 frozen turtles washed up on Cape Cod's beaches after sudden cold snaps. Most of the rescued turtles were small Kemp's ridley turtles. The team also cared for 39 green turtles and four big loggerheads. Many showed up with broken shells from hitting boats, while others were fighting bad cases of pneumonia. While walking along Ryder Beach in Truro on December 2, rescue worker Bruce Beane noticed something moving in the sand. A small turtle, with a cracked shell but still fighting, was barely moving in the cold. For ten years now, Beane has walked miles of beach looking for stranded turtles. His commitment matches the team's ongoing work to save these endangered species. On one of their most challenging days, the team rushed to help 38 new turtles. Each turtle gets specific care: some need basic treatment, while others need weeks of serious medical help to recover from major injuries. Rescue leader Adam Kennedy said, "Rapidly changing water and air temperatures and wind patterns can leave turtles cold-stunned, a catatonic state where they are unable to feed or swim." Recovery begins in 55-degree freshwater tanks, where the dried-out turtles slowly get better. X-rays show internal injuries, while blood work monitors their healing. Staff slowly warm up the water as the turtles recover. It can take up to several months for some of the turtles to recover enough to be returned to the wild.