Adoption – New England Cold-Stunned

Description

Patients: 3 to choose from (right now, we will be adding more as we can!)
Date: December 2022
Location: Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
Circumstances: cold-stunned

Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) recently received 30 cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles from the New England Aquarium. These lucky sea turtles were flown by a private plane; the pilots in this partnership actually donate their time and fuel to help!

As reptiles, sea turtles’ body temperatures closely match the temperature of their environment. Sea turtles can become cold-stunned (or shocked) when the temperatures  drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Because they receive so many turtles during the winter months, the New England Aquarium usually reaches out for aid. GWMI is happy to help! By taking some of the sea turtles, more room is available for new cold stuns as they arrive. GWMI will continue to treat these animals until they are ready for release.

Thank you to Turtles Fly Too for coordinating the flight and to the pilots for generously donating their time and airplane for this mission. We would also like to thank Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries, New England Aquarium, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and all volunteers for working together to make this possible.

*There are currently 3 patients to choose from on the drop down menu! Check them all out!