Hundreds of 'cold-shocked' sea turtles washed ashore

Experts at the New England Aquarium have rescued more than 200 critically ill sea turtles suffering from cold shock in Cape Cod Bay.

Hundreds of baby sea turtles in critical condition due to hypothermia stranded on the shores of Cape Cod Bay , Massachusetts this month. Although conservationists have identified the event as a 'cold shock' event due to falling temperatures, this year's situation has been particularly bad as strong winds have pushed more turtles inland to escape the frigid waters, with fatal consequences, the Independent reported on December 3.

A Kemp's ridley sea turtle is examined at the New England Aquarium's sea turtle hospital. (Photo: Vanessa Kahn).

Sea turtles are cold-blooded and cannot regulate their body temperature. Cold shock occurs when the water temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius. This can be life-threatening if the turtle is exposed to water for several days. They become weak and cannot regulate their buoyancy. The turtle will float on the surface of the water and not move to conserve energy.

'We often see pneumonia in these turtles. They are very underweight and dehydrated. Some have broken bones from boat strikes or when they wash up on rocks,' said Adam Kennedy, director of rescue and rehabilitation at the New England Aquarium. 'But they are in pretty rough shape from floating for months before they get stranded. It's amazing that they're still alive and washing up on the beach.'

Cold-stun events occur when many turtles are affected at the same time in the same area, and Cape Cod Bay is a common stranding site. If they are not found, they die from complications related to hypothermia and the inability to eat or drink. However, the mortality rate of sea turtles has decreased since the first mass cold-stun event in 2001 due to improved rescue efforts.

The New England Aquarium currently cares for more than 200 turtles at its sea turtle hospital in Quincy, many of them critically endangered Kemp's ridley turtles, the smallest and most endangered sea turtle species. Rescuers also encounter green sea turtles and loggerheads. When the aquarium finds turtles, they take X-rays and blood samples. Medical staff also check their heart rates. Turtles with heart rates of less than 10 beats per minute are given an injection of epinephrine , or adrenaline, to jump-start their hearts. Turtles in poor condition are given specialized fluids.

The sea turtles will be exposed to warmer and saltier water over a period of three days. The more active ones will be moved to the aquarium's swimming pool. They will be monitored to ensure they recover. When they are strong enough, they will be transferred to another facility. After a few weeks or months, they will be released back into the ocean.

There are many reasons why sea turtles strand along the Atlantic coast. Sea turtles migrate thousands of miles each year, preferring tropical ocean temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Hatchlings drift along the Gulf Stream, a powerful current that carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic. However, after spending warm summers in Cape Cod Bay, they often become stranded during colder months, especially when winds are strong.