Adoption – Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles

Description

Patients: Three to choose from!
Date: Jan. 21-26, 2024
Location: Saint Joseph Bay, Tyndall AFB
Circumstances: Cold-stunned

We currently have three sea turtles in rehab from a cold-stunning event that occurred from January 21-26, 2025. Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) received 1,200 sea turtles during this event. The majority were warmed and released within a few days of stranding, and three are still in rehab and available for adoption, two greens and one loggerhead.

As reptiles, sea turtles’ body temperatures closely match the temperature of their environment. Sea turtles can become cold-stunned (or shocked) when the temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The turtles are each given an exam and then slowly warmed before they are released when the water temperatures are deemed safe. A few turtles remain in rehab when there are other medical issues or injuries that require further care or observation.

We wish to thank the many people who were involved in the search and rescue of these turtles: U.S. Geological Survey, Gulf County FWC Law Enforcement, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida Coastal Conservancy, Indian Pass Sea Turtle Patrol, Tyndall AFB Natural Resources, Eglin AFB, NOAA, USDA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and FWC biologists. We would also like to thank Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Windmark Beach HOA, Scallop Cove, Point South Marina and The Italian Kitchen for providing valuable resources to GWMI and the search and rescue teams.