Sea turtles in the Florida Keys rescued after cold-stunning

Six juvenile green sea turtles were found debilitated by cold-stunning across the Upper Florida Keys and are receiving intensive care at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon; staff are slowly warming them and monitoring for complications.

Six juvenile green sea turtles were discovered debilitated by frigid waters across the Upper Florida Keys and are now receiving intensive care at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. The condition, called cold-stunning, is a hypothermic response when sea turtles are exposed to extended cold water. The recent drop in air temperatures into the low 40s — the coldest in the region since 2010 — led staff to monitor water temperatures closely. Hospital personnel are treating the turtles and expect more arrivals if the cold snap continues. Known details: - Six juvenile green sea turtles were brought to the Turtle Hospital, found from Layton to the edges of the Everglades, including one identified as Maria off Long Key. - The turtles weigh between about 4 and 50 pounds and were described as debilitated by cold-stunning. - Staff are slowly increasing body temperatures and giving fluids to address dehydration. - Medical monitoring includes watching for complications such as pneumonia, with X-rays and CT scans noted as part of care. - Some turtles also are being treated for prior injuries such as boat strikes or tumors. - The Florida Keys saw air temperatures fall into the low 40s, and Florida Bay water temperatures reached the 40s and low 50s during the cold spell. Summary: Turtle Hospital staff are providing intensive veterinary care and rehabilitation for the cold-stunned turtles, drawing on a long record of treating and releasing injured sea turtles. More cold-stunned turtles may arrive while the cold snap continues, and rehabilitation timelines vary from a few weeks to up to a year depending on each turtle's condition.