Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Blog & News

Local Cold Stun Turtles

Current Patients Sea Turtles

Green Sea Turtles

Juvenile, Greens (Chelonia mydas)
Patients’ Status
Current
Date Found
February 1-7, 2026
Location
Pinellas and Citrus county
Reason for Rescue
Cold-stunned

Initial Assessment

Weight
1 kg – 23 kg
Exam Findings
Majority were lethargic with cold body temperatures (in the 50s°F). A few have carapace deformities from a previous traumatic event that is unrelated to their stranding (Eros and Iris). Several have fibropapilloma tumors (Gaia, Eros, Hermes, Jupiter, Cyclops). Cyclops has an injury to their left eye and a missing front flipper.
Treatment
Antibiotics and fluids

Their Story

There was a local cold snap event where CMA received over 30 sea turtles in the span of a week. 15 of these turtles recovered quickly and were released on 2/10/26! The remaining had other signs of disease in addition to being cold-stun. 

Naming theme: Greek Mythology

Treatment Updates

2.9.26

All these patients are progressing well in rehab and in water full time. Majority are on daily injectable antibiotics and fluid therapy. Over the next we week will start to perform more diagnostics (CT scans for our FP turtles)

2.20.26

All are doing well. Several have been transitioned to oral antibiotics and are eating well!

2.25.26

Midas and Iris have received a clean bill of health from our staff veterinarian! Gaia, Eros, Jupiter, Ladon, Hermes, and Cyclops all had recheck exams over the last week and are progessing as expected.

2.27.26

Midas and Iris were successfully released on Honeymoon Island!

3.5.26

All patients had recheck exams in the last week. All are progressing well. Several we are getting ready for pap removal surgery (Jupiter and Cyclops). Ladon will start on antibiotics based on recent labwork.

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.