Kemp's Ridleys
- Patient Status
- Current
- Date Found
- December 5, 2023
- Location
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Reason for Rescue
- Cold-stunned
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- Ranges 1.4 kg to 4.4 kg
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- Ranges: 21.7 cm to 32.4 cm
- Exam Findings
- Very active. Thin body conditions. Skin lesions present on several.
- Initial Treatment
- Antibiotics and fluids
NE Transfer Kemp’s Ridleys Story
On December 5th, Clearwater Marine Aquarium received 16 juvenile Kemp’s ridleys transfers from New England Aquarium. These turtles were part of a recent mass cold-stun event in Cape Cod Massachusetts. These facilities treat hundreds of sea turtles every year due to cold-stunning. When their facilities reach max capacity, they transfer 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, hypothermia, and pneumonia. Upon arrival at CMA, all 16 turtles received a full workup from our vet team which included an exam and labwork. We will continue to monitor these turtles over the next few days and hope for a quick turnaround!
Treatment Updates
- 12.6.23
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All 16 were placed in deep water and are doing well!
- 12.7.23
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We have started offering food to all patients. Several are showing interest.
- 12.16.23
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Recheck exams, bloodwork, and radiographs were completed this week. All patients are eating well!
- 1.4.24
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Majority of our kemp’s ridleys are on antibiotics based on labwork and CT scans. We will continue to monitor and do recheck CTs and radiographs over the next month to monitor their progress. They are continuing to eat well!
- 1.26.24
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Several of our kemp’s ridleys are ready for release! Their bloodwork, recheck xrays, and CTs look good! The remaining are still on medications.
- 2.13.24
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11 kemp’s ridleys were successfully released at New Smyrna Beach in Volusia county. The remaining 5 are still on antibiotics and antifungals based on labwork and recheck CTs but are continuing to do well.
- 3.13.24
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3 of our remainig 5 kemp’s ridleys are off medications!
- 3.15.24
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Our remaining 5 kemp’s ridleys have received a clean bill of health from our staff veterinarian.
- 3.26.24
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Remaining 5 kemp’s ridleys were released at New Smyrna Beach in Volusia county thanks to the help of FWC!
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-23/24-172.