Nine cold-stunned green sea turtles and six Kemp’s ridley sea turtles released Thursday
CLEARWATER, FL (Feb. 28, 2025) – Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is excited to announce the successful rehabilitation and release of 15 cold-stunned sea turtles. CMA staff, volunteers, and interns made the journey to Florida’s east coast Thursday to release the turtles into the Atlantic Ocean.
In early December 2024, Clearwater Marine Aquarium received 12 juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles from the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts. These critically endangered turtles were rescued from the frigid waters of the northeastern U.S. after suffering from cold-stunning, a life-threatening condition that occurs when sea turtles are exposed to rapid drops in water temperature. Following comprehensive medical treatment and rehabilitation at CMA, six of these turtles were deemed healthy and ready for release into warmer waters.
“We’ve been able to participate in the care of these sea turtles almost every winter since 2016,” said Dr. Shelly Marquardt, Vice President of Animal and Environmental Health and Veterinarian for CMA. “We know that their time in rehabilitation here makes a difference for the future of this endangered species, and we are proud to be able to contribute to their conservation efforts,” she said.
Additionally, CMA received 12 cold-stunned juvenile green sea turtles from the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab in St. Augustine, Florida, in January. These turtles were stranded following a severe cold front in Florida and required intensive treatment, including temperature stabilization, hydration, and nutritional support. With their health fully restored, nine of these green sea turtles were released back into the waters off St. Augustine, where ocean temperatures have returned to safe levels.
Cold-stunning events impact hundreds of sea turtles in the northeastern U.S. each year, putting strain on marine rescue organizations. By transferring stabilized patients to partner facilities like Clearwater Marine Aquarium, northern rehabilitation centers can continue to focus on urgent critical care cases during peak rescue seasons.
“Rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing these sea turtles is a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Kerry McNally, Rehabilitation Manager at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “By working with dedicated partners like the New England Aquarium, the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Lab, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), we can ensure that these turtles get the care they need and have the opportunity to return to the wild.”
Clearwater Marine Aquarium remains committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life, as well as ongoing conservation efforts to protect these incredible animals.
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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
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We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization