JUNO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — After a perilous journey through frigid waters off Cape Cod, 24 Kemp's ridley sea turtles have found sanctuary at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Florida. These endangered turtles arrived on Dec. 9, ready for rehabilitation following severe frostbite, pneumonia, and other ailments stemming from a condition known as cold stunning.
Under the expert care of veterinarian Heather Barron, the turtles are receiving treatments like antibiotics and nebulization to ease their respiratory distress. They are critically ill when they get here, but with the proper treatment, we expect them to recover and eventually return to the Atlantic Ocean in spring, she noted.
The relocation of these turtles to Florida was essential to alleviate overcrowding at the New England Aquarium, which has treated nearly 500 other turtles since the cold-stunning event began. Loggerhead's staff creatively names each new group of turtles based on themes; this time, they chose Greek mythology, with names like Pandora and Helios highlighting their new life journey as they recover.
Under the expert care of veterinarian Heather Barron, the turtles are receiving treatments like antibiotics and nebulization to ease their respiratory distress. They are critically ill when they get here, but with the proper treatment, we expect them to recover and eventually return to the Atlantic Ocean in spring, she noted.
The relocation of these turtles to Florida was essential to alleviate overcrowding at the New England Aquarium, which has treated nearly 500 other turtles since the cold-stunning event began. Loggerhead's staff creatively names each new group of turtles based on themes; this time, they chose Greek mythology, with names like Pandora and Helios highlighting their new life journey as they recover.
