Following a sudden cold snap in Texas, the Texas State Aquarium has taken action to help save 24 cold-stunned sea turtles.
The turtles were rescued in the upper Laguna Madre in South Texas and transported to the Texas State Aquarium Rescue Center with the help of the team at Padre Island National Seashore.
The aquarium's veterinary team conducted immediate health assessments to determine the severity of the turtles' 'cold-stunning.'
According to the National Park Service, cold stunning occurs when a sea turtle becomes hypothermic due to severe cold weather. Because reptiles can't regulate their body temperature, they're unable to swim when temperatures drop below approximately 50 degrees.
The turtles were dry docked overnight in a warming room where they will remain until they gain the strength to breathe. They'll then be moved to a rehabilitation pool.
The aquarium says they'll continue to monitor the sea turtles. The Turtle Island Restoration Network says anyone who sees a cold-snapped turtle can call the Texas sea turtle hotline at 1-866-TURTLE-5 (1-866-887-8535).
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