Current:Home > StocksMore than 100 cold-stunned turtles rescued after washing ashore frozen in North Carolina-LoTradeCoin
More than 100 cold-stunned turtles rescued after washing ashore frozen in North Carolina
View Date:2024-12-24 07:40:39
Researchers found 109 cold-stunned turtles on a beach in North Carolina this week in an effort to rescue them from freezing temperatures.
Of the turtles rescued this week, just 36 survived, according to the N.C. State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, which helped rescue the turtles and brought them to an aquarium and rehab center.
Earlier this month, research teams on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore transported even more cold-stunned turtles to rehab centers.
In a post on Facebook, the National Park explained that when turtles are cold-stunned, they can't swim or eat. Their body temperature is largely regulated by the temperature of the water, so during the fall and winter, when the Gulf Stream makes the temperature drop, they can become lethargic and hypothermic.
They can be pushed ashore onto Cape Lookout by winds and tides, the park said, urging visitors to report any turtles they see on the shore.
"Turtles can appear lifeless but are often still alive," the post reads. "Do not try to put it back in the water. Instead, try to find your geographical coordinates and call the NC Sea Turtle Standing Network Hotline."
More than 60 of the turtles were brought to The North Carolina Aquarium after several cold-stunning events. They were unable to swim due to a hypothermia-like response.
The aquarium's Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation — or STAR Center — is caring for the turtles, which are of the green, Kemp's ridley and loggerhead varieties. The program also helps transport turtles from as far as Boston to rehab facilities.
First, they slowly warm turtles to their optimal body temperature. They may also give them medicine and treat injuries. When the turtles can swim and exhibit normal behavior, they are cleared by a veterinarian to return to wildlife.
The turtles are then tagged with a microchip and released into temperatures as close to 70 degrees as possible.
Some turtles were brought to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. After taking in more than 50 and releasing nine, the rehab center still has 103 as of Wednesday. The center is asking for help in buying supplies like syringes to help give the turtles fluids.
"Until they are able to swim, turtles are in low water or on wet towels so they need eye lube to help keep their eyes moist," the center explained on Facebook.
Caitlin O'KaneCaitlin O'Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces "The Uplift," CBS News' streaming show that focuses on good news.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
- Starbucks workers plan a 3-day walkout at 100 U.S. stores in a unionization effort
- Super-Polluting Methane Emissions Twice Federal Estimates in Permian Basin, Study Finds
- On Florida's Gulf Coast, developers eye properties ravaged by Hurricane Ian
- Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney dies in car accident
- She was an ABC News producer. She also was a corporate operative
- Two Indicators: The fight over ESG investing
- Twitter has changed its rules over the account tracking Elon Musk's private jet
- We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
- Shell’s Plastics Plant Outside Pittsburgh Has Suddenly Become a Riskier Bet, a Study Concludes
Ranking
- DWTS' Sasha Farber Claps Back at Diss From Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader
- Donations to food banks can't keep up with rising costs
- Tribes Sue to Halt Trump Plan for Channeling Emergency Funds to Alaska Native Corporations
- Why Is Texas Allocating Funds For Reducing Air Emissions to Widening Highways?
- After Baltimore mass shooting, neighborhood goes full year with no homicides
- Binance was once FTX's rival and possible savior. Now it's trying not to be its sequel
- Spam call bounty hunter
- Hundreds of Toxic Superfund Sites Imperiled by Sea-Level Rise, Study Warns
Recommendation
-
This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
-
Affirmative action in college admissions and why military academies were exempted by the Supreme Court
-
Heather Rae and Tarek El Moussa's Baby Boy Tristan Undergoes Tongue-Tie Revision
-
Eric Adams Said Next to Nothing About Climate Change During New York’s Recent Mayoral Primary
-
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson weighs in on report that he would 'pee in a bottle' on set
-
The Fed continues its crackdown on inflation, pushing up interest rates again
-
Pregnant Tori Bowie Tragedy: Autopsy Reveals Details on Baby's Death
-
Washington Commits to 100% Clean Energy and Other States May Follow Suit