The recent inclement weather in Cape Cod brought many new cold-stunned turtles in this week. Everyone had been wondering whether the turtles were still floating out in the sea, or if they had made it south before the water got too cold. This week brought the answer to that question. Apparently, as the wind kept changing direction, the cold-stunned turtles were being shuffled around the Cape Cod Bay. The turtle total for this week was fifteen. Unfortunately, six didn’t make it, but nine have entered rehab.

The New England Aquarium was extremely busy with the new Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles. Brian and I were there to help. It was crazy! It seemed like there were turtles everywhere! They were all covered in algae, and some even had barnacles attached to their shells. I felt so bad for them. They looked pitiful. We had to examine them, check their heart rates, and treat any wounds. It was pretty hectic. The turtles also had to have blood drawn to detect infection, disease, pH, and calcium levels. Many needed IV fluids. After their exams, we put them into kiddie pools for about an hour. These pools were around 60 degrees. This was to evaluate whether they were able to swim and breathe in the water. The turtles were then put into pools that were about 65 degrees. The idea is to try to gradually increase their temperature to avoid shocking their systems. After they are acclimated to the water, they will go into large, warm pools.

One new, little turtle was in pretty bad shape. The rehabbers could not get a heart rate on him and he didn’t appear to be breathing very often. He was immediately brought upstairs to the ICU. There, the veterinarian intubated him to help him breathe. He also received IV fluids. His heart rate was really low, so he was give meds to get it pumping. Afterwards, he went into an incubator to get his temperature up. A little while later, the turtle looked a lot better…he was breathing and even did okay in the kiddie pool.