JUNO BEACH, Florida — On Tuesday, eight green sea turtles were released back into the Atlantic Ocean. This happened almost a month after an arctic blast brought rare snow to northern Florida, which caused the aquatic animals to suffer from a condition called cold stunning.
Last month, 17 sea turtles were found lost on Florida’s northeastern Atlantic Coast. They were taken to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, which is north of West Palm Beach, to get better.
The lead veterinarian, Dr. Heather Barron, said, “So many turtles were hurt by that cold stunning event that happened a few weeks ago.” “They are reptiles, so the cold really weakens their immune systems. Their body temperature is based on the water temperature around them.”
Very rarely does it snow this far south as northern Florida. It was so cold that it hit South Florida. Since the first group, more than a dozen more turtles have been brought to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Other turtle sites in the state are now full.
Antibiotics, fluids, and intravenous nutrients have been given to the turtles by veterinarians. All of them had cold stunning, a condition that makes sea turtles lose their movement and become sleepy. It will be a few weeks before most of the turtles are put back into the ocean.
Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the 20th Annual TurtleFest at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center this coming weekend. Through interactive displays and marine life, the free event’s main goal is to raise awareness about ocean conservation.
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