JUNO BEACH, Fla. — An unusual Arctic cold front recently swept through northern Florida, resulting in a rare snowfall in the region and leaving many green sea turtles affected by a condition known as cold stunning. Essential rehabilitation measures are being undertaken for these turtles, particularly at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center located in Juno Beach, just north of West Palm Beach.
Seventeen turtles were discovered stranded along the Atlantic Coast in northeast Florida and subsequently transported to the center for recovery. Dr. Heather Barron, the center’s chief science officer and veterinarian, explained, “Cold temperatures experienced on land also affect the ocean. This has resulted in several turtles becoming beached or severely weakened and merely floating in the water.”
In a creative move, the rescue staff decided to name the turtles after drinks and documented their names on the backs of their shells. These turtles are currently receiving treatment that includes antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and nutrition. The exceptional weather also affected turtles in Palm Beach County as frigid conditions crept down to South Florida, adding to the count of cold-stunned turtles found in the area.
“It is quite exceptional for such circumstances to occur in Florida,” Barron stated. “Typically, sea turtles migrate south toward Florida at this time of year due to the warmer ocean temperatures.” As of Wednesday morning, the turtles named Espresso, Pickle Juice, and Ginger Beer were enjoying the sunshine in the facility’s “Party Tank.”
The turtles were brought to the center on a Friday following their rescue from the Marine Science Center in Volusia County. Each of them is suffering from cold stunning, a condition that leads to reduced mobility and lethargy among sea turtles. It is expected that most of these 17 turtles will be able to return to the ocean within a few weeks. Interestingly, similar cases were reported last year when turtles from Massachusetts were sent to Florida for care due to cold stunning issues.
