Helping Sea Turtles Recover From Cold-Stunning
Caring for cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
Our Science Aquarium in Woods Hole is one of a handful of facilities equipped to treat cold-stunned and stranded sea turtles after they’re triaged by the New England Aquarium. We received 12 after the mass stranding on Cape Cod during 2017.
Enjoy the photo essay of our work.
Dr. Michele Sims, the Woods Hole aquarium's veterinarian, evaluates a cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtle for swim rea...
Taking a peek. The first set of cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles arrived on a snowy November day in 2017
Spirits are hopeful. Senior aquarist Kristy Owen (left) hands off the first set of cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtle...
Upon arrival turtles need to be examined and assessed.
Open up and say, "Ahhhh." Woods Hole Science Aquarium vet Dr. Michele Sims (left) thoroughly checks over each sea turtle...
Because dehydration, electrolyte balance and nutrition are always concerning, fluids are readied for each sea turtle.
Sometimes sea turtles arrive with infections. Here Michele treats one of the sea turtles for an eye infection.
Staff drawing blood to help determine the health of the turtle.
Michele and Kristy prepare to take radiographs (x-rays) of each sea turtle.
Here Michele and Kristy look at the radiograph. Sometimes several radiographs are taken to double check areas of concern...
Another major concern is their internal body temperature. Often they come in with an internal temperature as low as 40°F...
When their internal temperatures reach 60° to 70°F and they’re responsive, Michele will start swimming them.
Sea turtle diet is monitored closely while in Michele’s care. Each sea turtle is prescribed a specific caloric intake.
To be sure sea turtles are actually consuming their prescribed food, each sea turtle is hand fed.
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