Audubon Aquarium Rescue is caring for 35 that were injured by the cold in New England last month.
The turtles were part of a large “cold stunning” event in which frigid air and water affected their ability to swim and eat and caused them to wash ashore. The New England Aquarium initially treated and stabilized the turtles, some of them suffering from dehydration and pneumonia.
They were then flown to New Orleans by a plane chartered by Greater Good Charities, and Audubon Aquarium Rescue workers gave each one a physical. Some are still not eating as they should.
“Some of these turtles arrived in rough shape; they will need more extensive rehabilitation than others,” said Gabriella Harlamert, Audubon Aquarium Rescue Stranding and Rehab Coordinator. “We are monitoring each of them constantly and are hopeful all 35 of these turtles will heal and return to the Gulf in the spring.”
It's . Last year, from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for rehabilitation.
Staff of Audubon Aquarium Rescue work on Kemp's ridley sea turtles injured by the cold in the northeast.
Staff report
In the meantime, the rescue team has given the turtles names corresponding to rocks and minerals, including Jade, Mica, Opalite, Pebble, Aquamarine, Onyx, Quartz and Coal.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the most endangered in the world.
Audubon Aquarium Rescue is authorized to rehabilitate sea turtles by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and marine mammals by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is the only entity in Louisiana responsible for the rehabilitation of live marine mammals and sea turtles.
Audubon Aquarium Rescue asks that if anyone sees a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, live or dead, report it to (877) 942-5343.