New England Aquarium organsation has announced about rescuing over 150 sea turtles, which received treatment for life-threatening medical conditions caused by hypothermia, according to it’s statement on Monday.
The animals have been rescued by volunteers working for the Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Turtle Hospital has treated the rescued animals, including 120 Kemp’s ridley turtles and 33 green turtles.
“In years past, cold-stunned sea turtles would begin to wash ashore in late October,” said the aquarium’s director of rescue and rehabilitation, Adam Kennedy.
Kennedy further added “milder weather means the waters of Cape Cod Bay are staying warmer for a prolonged period of time, which we believe could be a sign of climate change’s impact on the Gulf of Maine.”
Noteworthy, the number of cold-stunned sea turtle stranding has increased from around 50 a year at the turn of the century to more than 700 in 2021, the New England Aquarium, said.
Cold stun season update: Our #SeaTurtleHospital has treated over 150 turtles so far!
In total, 120 Kemp’s ridley turtles and 33 green #SeaTurtles have been admitted to our hospital. Many of these turtles suffer from dehydration and pneumonia — all symptoms of cold-stunning. pic.twitter.com/6bZnit9vEN
— New England Aquarium (@NEAQ) November 28, 2022