Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Flood Clearwater Aquarium

CLEARWATER, FL — As overnight temperatures drop, humans aren’t the only ones in need of shelter from the cold. The state’s protected sea turtle population also struggles as the waters they live in become dangerously chilly.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been making a point of taking in and treating sea turtles that have become stunned due to frigid water temperatures. So far in 2016, the nonprofit aquarium has logged a total sea turtle intake number of 143. Of that 143 turtles, 69 were alive and were taken to the aquarium’s hospital for triage and treatment. A total of 74 were deceased when found and have been taken to the aquarium’s lab for processing.

“As cold-blooded reptiles, sea turtles assume the temperature of their surroundings,” explained Becca Romzek, aquarium spokeswoman. “When the turtles are exposed to frigid water temperatures (around 50 degrees Fahrenheit) over several days, their circulatory systems can slow to the point where they become cold-stunned.”

When turtles become cold stunned, they are unable to swim or function properly. That puts them at risk of being hit by a boat, she added.

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With that in mind, Tampa Bay area residents are urged to contact the aquarium’s stranding line at 747-441-1790, Ext. 1, if they spot distressed turtles in the wild. Aquarium staff will come out and evaluate the animal’s condition and determine if care is required, Romzek said.

The Clearwater aquarium’s intakes come from the state of Florida. Most have been rescued within Pinellas County, but that’s not always the case, she added.

While cold alone is enough to cause problems for sea turtles, this year’s crop of rescues faces another complication. Nearly all of the cold-stun rescue turtles have fibropapilloma tumors.

“The fibropapilloma virus is highly contagious and compromises the immune system, which makes the turtle especially vulnerable to colder weather,” Romzek said.

Since treatment for the tumors involves laser removal and up to a year of rehabilitation, the cost for care can become expensive. While Duke Energy of Florida funds the aquarium’s year-round sea turtle program, the sudden influx of rescues has stretched the hospital and its funding to the limit, she said.

To cover the funding gap, the aquarium has launched Operation Cold Stun. Money collected from the online fundraiser will “directly support the care of these new patients,” Romzek said. “We need to create ‘turtle beds’ to warm up the animals, requiring large tubs and towels, along with more medical equipment to administer treatments.”

To find out more about Operation Cold Stun or to make a donation, visit the aquarium online. The goal is to raise $25,000 to provide continued care to this year’s crop of rescue sea turtles.

Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium