ORLANDO, Fla. –– As temperatures drop and the cold snap continues over Central Florida, sea turtles in local waters can become “cold-stunned” and hypothermic.
SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue team took in 16 sea turtles from Titusville in Brevard County with visible signs of stress on their shells, and is now working around the clock with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their care.
What You Need To Know
When temperatures drop, sea turtles can become hypothermic and require immediate medical attention, including bloodwork and fluids
SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue team is working with FWC to bring the 16 turtles back to health and return them to their habitat in Titusville
At very low temperatures (less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit) these cold-blooded animals may become lethargic or “stunned”
SeaWorld Orlando confirmed in a statement that its rescue team is in active response mode, providing treatment with the goal to rehabilitate the turtles so they can eventually return to their natural habitats once the waters have warmed above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to FWC, sea turtles can become cold-stunned when water temperatures drop to 50 degrees or below.
Cold-stunning affects turtles by lowering their internal body temperature, causing them to slow and sink, becoming lethargic or “stunned.”
With over 42,000 rescues, SeaWorld Orlando’s Marine Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Return program has been successful in Central Florida for over 60 years.
If you see a cold-stunned or stranded sea turtle, please contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).