Kemp's ridleys & Loggerheads
- Patients’ Status
- Released
- Transfer Date
- December 22, 2020
- Location
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Reason for Rescue
- Cold-stunned.
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 3.5 lbs-20 lbs
- Exam Findings
- Quiet but responsive.
- Treatment
- Vitamins, antibiotics, and fluids.
Their Story
On December 22, 2020, Clearwater Marine Aquarium received six juvenile Kemp’s ridleys and two juvenile loggerhead transfers from New England Aquarium. These sea turtles were part of a recent mass cold-stun event in Cape Cod Massachusetts. This facility treats hundreds of sea turtles every year due to cold-stunning. When their facility reaches max capacity, New England Aquarium transfers out their patients to other sea turtle hospitals to make room for new intakes. Sea turtles can experience cold-stunning when water temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. This can lead to decrease circulation, lethargy, and hypothermic conditions. These sea turtles can develop pneumonia as well.
Upon arrival at CMA, all 8 sea turtles received a full workup from our vet team which included an exam, labwork, and xrays. We will continue to monitor these sea turtles over the next few days and hope for a quick turnaround!
Interesting Fact: New England Aquarium does not name their cold-stun sea turtles. Instead, they write numbers on their carapace’s (shells) to keep track of their patients! These numbers also correlate to the number of strandings at the time (One of these sea turtle’s is number 977!)
Treatment Updates
- 12.23.20
-
These patients were under rehab at NEAq for over a week before they were transferred.
All eight patients were placed in water for a swim test for a few hours. All patients did well in water for the first time. During their swim test, we also offered a variety of food to see what they are interested in eating. We will continue to increase swim time as they improve!
We are continuing to do glucose checks and give fluids if needed.
- 12.26.20
-
All sea turtles are able to be in deep water all day and overnight!
Several have started eating and are on diets!
- 12.29.20
-
All of the Kemp’s ridleys had a routine recheck exam and bloodwork was sent off to the lab.
All of their diets were increased!
- 1.19.21
-
Routine recheck exams were performed and bloodwork was sent off to the lab last week. #849, #773, and #681 were taken off medications and are doing well!
We are continuing to monitor #879 as she has developed pneumonia which is common in cold-stun cases, and her treatment plan has been adjusted.
- 2.3.21
-
Four Kemp’s ridleys (#849, #773, #681, and #878) and one loggerhead (#854) were released on the east coast of Florida!
#879, #809 and #977 are still in rehab with us as they are continuing on antibiotics.
- 2.25.21
-
The remaining New England sea turtles have been released on the east coast of Florida!
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-19-172.