Description
Date: January 24, 2025
Location: Gulf County, FL
Circumstances: Cold Stun/Trauma
“Indy”, a juvenile green sea turtle was found washed ashore in Saint Joseph Bay during 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 of the cold-stunned turtles were warmed and released within a few days of stranding. Indy was released on January 29th but then restranded on January 30th. This time, there were signs of trauma with exposed bone on the carapace and dying tissue from the cold temperatures on the tips of flippers which is common in cold stunned turtles. Indy’s wound is being treated with honey which improves healing, and he/she also has a good appetite.
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 remained in rehab when there were other medical issues or injuries that required 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.
