GULF WORLD
MARINE INSTITUTE
GULF WORLD
MARINE INSTITUTE
GULF WORLD
MARINE INSTITUTE
GULF WORLD
MARINE INSTITUTE
When Northwest Florida saw snowfall for the first time in decades earlier this year, sea turtles were also impacted! Twelve hundred cold-stunned sea turtles were brought into Gulf World Marine Institute over several days during the wintery weather! Sea turtles can become cold-stunned by the frigid temperatures in shallow bays and estuaries when water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When cold-stunning, these cold-blooded reptiles enter a comatose state, as their body temperature is controlled by their environment. Locally, water temperatures drop low in St. Joseph Bay and Crooked Island Sound beaches near Tyndall Air Force Base.
Over 940 of the turtles were slowly warmed and released a few days after arrival at our facility! However, a few had to remain for various reasons. These critical care patients were given additional medical assessments, and received fluids and/or antibiotics for wounds and infections. Additionally, they were fed a restaurant quality diet in order to gain weight. Once given a clean bill of health from our veterinary staff and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, these rehabilitation patients were able to be released. All together, the majority of the 1,200 have been successfully released!
It takes many people and organizations to help during an event of this size! We would like to thank Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, FWC Law Enforcement, United States Geological Survey, Northern Gulf Turtle & Coastal Research Group, Florida Coastal Conservancy, Indian Pass Sea Turtle Patrol, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Rish State Park, Tyndall Air Force Base Natural Resources, Panama City Beach Turtle Watch, GWMI staff and all volunteers!
Local news articles featuring this event:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/us/florida-sea-turtle-rescues.html
https://www.wjhg.com/2025/01/28/cold-stunned-sea-turtles-nearing-release
https://www.wjhg.com/2025/01/30/nearly-400-cold-stunned-sea-turtles-return-gulf