Over 250 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Rescued from Cape Cod Beaches

Critically endangered Kemp's ridley turtles are among those treated for hypothermia and related ailments as changing climate patterns exacerbate strandings.

The New England Aquarium is treating 257 cold-stunned sea turtles, including 214 critically endangered Kemp's ridley turtles, rescued along Cape Cod Bay in recent days.
Cold-stunning occurs when sea turtles, unable to regulate their body temperature, are exposed to water below 50°F, leading to hypothermia, dehydration, and other life-threatening conditions.
Rising ocean temperatures linked to climate change are pushing turtles farther north, increasing their risk of becoming trapped in Cape Cod Bay as temperatures drop in the fall and winter.
The New England Aquarium’s sea turtle hospital in Quincy has exceeded its capacity of 60 turtles, with staff and volunteers working to stabilize the animals through fluids, antibiotics, and gradual warming.
Experts warn that the number of stranded turtles is expected to rise in coming years, with projections estimating over 1,000 annual strandings by 2030 due to changing environmental conditions.

Portland Press Herald