Hundreds of turtles with hypothermia are washing up along Massachusetts beaches — The critically ill sea turtles, many of which are endangered, will die if they are not rescued

2 comments

1. Julia Musto:

   *[…] Sea turtles are cold-blooded and cannot regulate their body temperature. Cold stunning occurs when water temperatures drop below 50 degrees. It can be life-threatening if the reptiles are exposed to the water over several days. The turtles become weak and unable to regulate their buoyancy, often floating to the water’s surface and not moving to conserve energy.*

   *“We typically see a lot of pneumonia in these turtles. They’re very underweight, very dehydrated. Some animals have fractures from vessel interactions or when they wash up on rocks,” Adam Kennedy, the New England Aquarium’s Director of Rescue and Rehabilitation, told The Independent on Tuesday.*

   *“But, they’re in pretty rough shape because they’ve really been out floating for a couple months before they strand. So, it’s amazing that they’re actually still alive when they do hit the beach.”*

   *[…] There are several reasons for these strandings along the Atlantic Ocean’s coast. Sea turtles travel thousands of miles each year, preferring tropical ocean temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. The hatchlings float on the Gulf Stream, a strong ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean.*

   *After spending an enjoyable summer in Cape Cod Bay, however, they can become trapped during cold months – especially with strong winds. Last year didn’t have those winds, said Kennedy.*

   *As ocean temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, sea turtles are following those waters farther north in the summer, the National Aquarium notes, taking them beyond traditional migratory routes.*

2. Posting a link to donate to the NEAQ : 

    https://support.neaq.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5781&5781.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T 

   (Since the donation link mentioned in the article doesn’t work)

   Donations are being matched to 100k. 

   Turtle support organizations need help increasing capacity for rescuing, rehabbing and releasing the overwhelming number of stranded and freezing turtles. 

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