New England’s Endangered Sea Turtles Could Go Extinct With Winter Waters, Caused By Climate Change
While some types of turtles are able to stay underwater for hours due to their large lungs, another threat is now endangering their existence. With global warming’s impact, sea turtles in New England’s waters have become more endangered than ever with waters being uncomfortably cold for our little friends.
The worse thing – there is little hope it will change.
While the southeast is experiencing an unusual cold front, it is not the only place where the cold is felt. Heat may be what we typically associate climate change with, but the reality is that cold weather also happens because of the changing weather patterns.
New patients – this time in animal form – are rushing to the hospitals in the New England area, more specifically the New England Aquarium. 250 sea turtles are currently recovering from hypothermia, keeping staff and volunteers busy around the clock.
Washing up on the shore of the Cape Cod Bay, the constant search for these little friends continues. Once found, the stunned turtles are taken tho the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital and treated in a similar fashion to what humans would experience.
Hypothermia is not just life-threatening for humans but also for sea turtles, and this year is no exception. Water temperature has changed remarkably quickly, causing significant challenges in the waters around the Cape Cod Bay.
The situation is grave. With more than 200 cold-stunned sea turtles being treated, the population is threatened. In addition, a lot of turtles are only found once already in critical condition.
At the Wellfleet sanctuary, the animals are being evaluated before being transported to the Quincy facility where more medical treatment is available. With more than 100 turtles brought into the facility in the last two days, conditions are grave.
When water temperatures drop below 50 degrees, their cold-blooded bodies struggle. Unable to swim and lethargic in the cold temperatures, they have very little defence against the cold.
Hypothermia is a serious condition, but it’s not the only one. Dehydration, pneumonia, and sepsis are other issues faced in these cold conditions. Much like treating humans, a physical exam and bloodwork is done. The evaluation occasionally comes out requiring X-rays, too.
Treating these turtles can be expensive, as they sometimes require months at the hospital before they recover, if they manage to. Adam Kennedy, the aquarium’s Director of Rescue and Rehabilitation, is working around the clock to keep them safe. Much work has gone into streamlining intake so as to be able to accommodate to the large number of animals coming in.
NOAA, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries, also provides crucial support when the hospitals reach capacity. In addition, some turtles even leave the state and go as far as North Carolina to get medical attention.
Have you seen a turtle? If you believe you’ve seen a turtle in need of assistance, report it to NOAA Northeast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Entanglement Hotline. The easiest way to reach them is over the phone – 866-755-6622. If you have time to spare, several organization are looking for help in treating the frost-bitten turtles.
