Last week, as winter's icy grip descended upon the South, more than 1,200 sea turtles found themselves perilously close to death due to extreme cold temperatures caused by unusual winter storms across Florida and the Carolinas.
The turtles, primarily green sea turtles, were left stunned and motionless, unable to surface for air or move away from the chilled waters of St. Joseph Bay and other coastal areas. Fortunately, many were washed ashore, allowing rescuers to locate and save about 1,000 of them—marking one of Florida’s largest cold-stun rescues seen in the last 15 years, according to local wildlife authorities.
According to Allen Foley, a wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, when temperatures plummeted below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the cold-blooded turtles experienced severe physiological effects. "When it gets really cold, they aren’t able to respond very quickly because... they have to travel quite a way," Foley explained, illustrating the turtles' struggle to navigate out of the frigid bay.
From January 21 through last Sunday, more than 40 volunteers tirelessly combed 13 miles of snowy shoreline, searching for the comatose turtles. Samantha Snow, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who contributed to the efforts, noted challenges like "road closures and freezing bridges," but emphasized the volunteers' dedication. "When you’re walking the shore, you could easily count 15, 20 turtles..." she remarked, sharing the sight of these endangered species lying helplessly on the beach.
Most of the rescued turtles were quickly transported to the Gulf World Marine Institute, which was equipped to handle large numbers of cold-stunned turtles. The facility can accommodate approximately 1,200 turtles, where staff and volunteers provided urgent medical attention to recover them from the cold stun. While many were treated and released back to the ocean later, about 200 turtles tragically succumbed to the extreme conditions before they could be saved, according to reports from the Florida authorities.
Meanwhile, volunteers, such as local fishermen T.J. Renya and Tim Gibson, also participated actively with Sea Turtle Inc. as temperatures fell across the Laguna Madre. Renya emphasized the community aspect of the rescue, stating, "We love it, the whole community come together... and everyone is saving a life." Gibson echoed this sentiment, explaining how he coordinated efforts and collected stranded turtles to provide assistance during the crisis.
Across the coast, individuals reported similar initiatives, including over 900 sea turtles rescued from the cold-stunned crisis along North Carolina's coast during the mid-December cold snap. Shane Christian, head of veterinary sciences at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, highlighted the overwhelming nature of the rescues, commenting on the exceptional scale of such operations. Each turtle collected there was thoroughly assessed by veterinarians who observed various conditions ranging from frostbite to muscle weakness due to prolonged exposure to icy waters.
Dr. Anne Goodall, treating these turtles, noted, "A lot of them are just sitting on the beach, cold and not moving around," capturing the harrowing state of the rescued animals. Thankfully, some will return to their ocean home after the rehabilitation process, which may take just days to weeks, depending on their condition.
Although the occasions when cold-stunning events occur are on the rise, they remain relatively rare phenomena impacting areas like Florida and North Carolina. Dr. Heather Barron, chief science officer at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, remarked on the unusual nature of such conditions even for the region. "It is quite unusual for this to happen in Florida." Yet, these instances call attention to the resilience and dedication of the local communities, marine rescuers, and volunteers who come together to care for these vulnerable sea turtles.
With warmer weather finally arriving, biologists monitored the situation closely. Hundreds of medically cleared turtles began to be released back to their homes along the coastline, where they would once again frolic through the waves of the Gulf and Atlantic waters. The sight of turtles waddling toward the surf is one infused with hope—a reflection of human compassion and dedication to preserving these endangered creatures.
The vigilance shown by volunteers and professionals alike can be credited for these successful rescue missions, proving the power of community action amid environmental challenges. Such priceless endeavors should inspire continued support and engagement to aid not only the turtles but also the delicate ecosystems they inhabit.
Similar efforts are currently underway at both local rehabilitation centers and across various coastal towns, solidifying the necessity for our collective custodianship of nature. The impact of these recent events will undoubtedly echo far beyond the shores of our beaches, shaping the narrative of wildlife conservation for years to come.