6 endangered sea turtles recovering at Mystic Aquarium
Were found ailing on Massachusetts beaches
MYSTIC — Six critically endangered turtles are recovering at Mystic Aquarium after being rescued in Massachusetts, according to the aquarium.
Six Kemp’s ridley turtles were found cold-stunned on Massachusetts beaches and were initially transferred to the National Marine Life Center in Bourne, Mass. Soon after, Mystic Aquarium said its Animal Rescue Team arrived to bring the sick turtles to Connecticut.
The Animal Rescue Program at Mystic doesn’t typically see more than one sea turtle in distress at a time. Cold-stunning happens when the turtles are exposed to sudden cold temperatures before or during their migration. When they are coldstunned, they lose their sense of direction and can suffer from malnutrition, frostbite, dehydration, infection and, in some cases, death.
After being cold-stunned, a turtle needs gradual warming, veterinary care and rehabilitation to return to the wild. Veterinarians at the Connecticut facility did initial admission exams on the turtles when they arrived.
“The rehabilitation of these six turtles contributes to the conservation and survival of the Kemp’s ridley turtle, and I look forward to the day when they regain their strength and return to the open ocean,” Animal
Rescue Program Manager Sarah Callan said in a statement.
Kemp’s ridley turtles are the smallest marine turtles in the world.
Anyone who sees marine mammals or sea turtles in distress can report them to the Animal Rescue Hotline at 860-572-5955 extension 10. The program responds to calls around the clock.