Blog & News

On January 28, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was found floating nearshore in Sand Key, Pinellas County, Florida. The turtle was buoyant, and having a difficult time swimming or diving below the surface. The turtle was picked up by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and transferred to volunteers who brought the turtle to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for triage.

On January 10, 2017, a small juvenile green turtle was found floating along the shore of the Chassahowitzka River in Citrus County, Florida. The turtle was brought to CMA by the FWC, and the turtle was triaged. A CT scan indicated the turtle had moderate ingesta in its gastrointestinal tract, and gas

Theodore was one of the 3 loggerheads, along with Alvin and Simon. Upon admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Theodore was triaged and treated for cold-stun, given vitamins, antibiotic injections, hydration fluids, and cold laser therapy to treat a healing wound to the top of the head.

Upon admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Simon was triaged and treated for cold-stun, given vitamins, antibiotic injections, and hydration fluids. Although we can’t prevent cold stunning from occurring, we can keep our eyes out on the shorelines during cold weather for any turtles acting lethargically.

In early December 2016, a mass cold stun event occurred off the coast of Massachusetts, and many loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were rescued by the New England Aquarium. Clearwater Marine Aquarium offered to help New England Aquarium care for the turtles if they ran out of space. So, 3 loggerhead turtles were flown down to Florida via private jet. Alvin was one of the 3 loggerheads.